■”I’m looking forward to working with our customers to move the character Beethoven and weave a story.” (Goro Inagaki)
It has been decided that the fourth performance of the play “No. 9 – Immortal Melody”, which depicts the turbulent and troubled life of the genius composer Beethoven, will be performed with the strongest collaboration between lead actor Goro Inagaki and director Akira Shirai.
Ludwig van Beethoven is a German musician who is said to have accelerated the evolution and deepening of music by several decades. His pieces, such as the piano sonatas “Pathétique” and “Moonlight,” and symphonies No. 3, “Eroic” and No. 5, “Fate,” have had a great influence on future generations of musicians.
The play “No. 9 – Immortal Melody”, which approaches the depths of the troubled life and creation of such “musical saint” Beethoven, and has moved many audiences into a whirlpool of emotion since its premiere in 2015, will be performed for the first time in four years. It has been decided to open the curtain.
The title “No. 9” refers to Beethoven’s ninth and last symphony in D minor (No. 9). Although he is blessed with a wealth of talent, his passion and sense of loneliness keep him at odds with the people around him and society.The climax of the drama, in which he figures out what music should be, is accompanied by the chorus of the fourth movement, “Ode to Joy.” ” resounds.
This work was re-performed in 2018 and again in 2020, which marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Coincidentally, this performance will take place in the year that marks the 200th anniversary of the premiere of “The Ninth”. The drama woven by the unique characters transcends time, makes the familiar melody resonate even more deeply, and is sure to move the hearts of those present.
■Goro Inagaki’s Beethoven continues to deepen
Goro Inagaki has played Beethoven since the first performance, and his performance continues to improve with each performance. In addition to the childhood trauma caused by his violent father, he also suffers from various troubles brought on by his complex personality, and furthermore, he suffers from an illness that seriously affects his creativity, which causes a sense of frustration and loneliness, and the state he ultimately reached. He brings this to light with his innate intelligence and delicacy. It’s been over 9 years since the premiere. Now, during this performance, he will reach his 100th stage, and his character design will no doubt show even more depth and deepening.
The role of Maria, who supports him as his secretary, will be played by Ayame Goriki, who participated in the recast in 2018 and left a strong impression with her lively appearance. Nao Minamizawa, who has been demonstrating her full potential on stage in recent years, will play the role of Nanette, a piano maker who competes with Beethoven on an equal footing and provides inspiration, for the first time.
In addition, Tsubasa Sakiyama and Naoki Nakao, both experienced young actors, will be participating for the first time in the roles of Beethoven’s two younger brothers, Nikolaus and Kaspar, giving them a new lease of life. In addition, talented actors such as Hitoshi Katagiri, Yoshinori Okada, Motoki Fukami, Kaoru Okunuki, Yuichi Haba, and Hatsunori Hasegawa continue to play the role, creating a rich human drama.
In addition, two pianos were placed on the stage, and two pianists, Tadashi Suenaga and Tomoya Umeda, performed more than 20 Beethoven pieces, including “Pathétique” and “Passion,” as well as operas and musicals. 20 talented vocalists who are active in the world will perform together as a chorus. Pay attention to the dynamic musical expression that can only be achieved through live performance.
■“Joy” launched and evoked by the best creators
The creative team, led by director Akira Shirai, scriptwriter Kazuki Nakajima (author of the theater company☆Shinkansen theater), and music director Jun Miyake, will create a torrent of fate on an unprecedented scale, set during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Starting with the play “Joan of Arc” (premiered in 2014), which depicts a heroine being swallowed up, this work “No. 9”, and “Sainson-Louis For the past 10 years, he has continued to question the world about contemporary spectacles that combine strong themes with entertainment value, including “The Man Who Decapitated His Head” (premiered in 2020).
Nakajima uses historical facts and real people as his subject matter, adds bold leaps of ideas, and weaves a dramatic world with pleasant lines that will stick in your mind once you hear them.He carefully unravels the struggles of a genius musician and his journey to reach new heights. Shirai, who has a deep knowledge of music, created a production plan in which Beethoven’s music would function organically in each scene. Based on his deep understanding of music, Miyake, who has collaborated with numerous artists both domestically and internationally, organically connected live performances and collages of environmental sounds to create the “sound” that pervades the world of his works. It’s a sensibility.
When the chorus of “Ode to Joy” fills the theater, the audience will be transported through time and touched by Beethoven’s soul. The story told by the stage play “No.9” is sure to resonate with our hearts and remind us of the joy of living.
■Starring actor Goro Inagaki comment
When I’m performing Beethoven, there are moments when I suddenly feel like I’m with myself, and I feel like I’m with another person. No matter how many times I listen to him, there are still parts of him that I can’t grasp, and I feel like I’m always chasing the image of Beethoven.
This will be our fourth performance, and I would like to work with the cast members to create a new “No.9.” I look forward to working with the audience to move the character of Beethoven and weave the story, from the tense beginning to the end, when Ode to Joy resounds.■Director Akira Shirai Comments
This is the fourth performance of “No.9” and I am honestly happy to be able to meet everyone again. Theater works are always contemporary, and their meaning and how they are received change depending on the times. However, I believe that the reason this work has been performed for such a long time is because the world depicted in the work transcends time and moves us. The power of the music left behind by Beethoven, a genius who transcended centuries, is immeasurable. We have been on many adventures to get closer to the soul that dwells in these songs. Of course, always at the center of this adventure was the rare talent of Goro Inagaki. Mr. Inagaki was so close to Beethoven’s spirit that the word “possession” came to mind, and he continued to be at the forefront of Beethoven’s adventures. I believe this work is destined to continue to be performed. This performance is still a passing point. I sincerely hope that everyone will watch over this milestone.
Stage information
Stage “No.9 -Immortal Melody-”
12/21 (Sat) – 31 (Tue) Tokyo, Tokyo International Forum Hall C
(2025)
01/11 (Sat) – 01/12 (Sun) Fukuoka/Kurume City Plaza
01/18 (Sat) – 01/20 (Mon) Osaka Orix Theater
02/01 (Sat) – 02/02 (Sun) Shizuoka/Act City Hamamatsu Large Hall
Cast:
Goro Inagaki / Ayame Goriki
Hitoshi Katagiri Nao Minamisawa Tsubasa Sakiyama Naoki Nakao
Yoshinori Okada, Motoki Fukami, Kaori Matsuda, Gen Ogawa, Daishun Miyabe, Minato Masagaki, Togen Murayama (W cast), Kaoru Okunuki, Yuichi Haba, Hatsunori Hasegawa
Pianist: Tadashi Suenaga Tomoya Umeda
Directed by: Akira Shirai
Screenplay: Kazuki Nakajima (Gekidan☆Shinkansen)
Music director: Jun Miyake
Stage official website
www.No9-stage.com
