Classics billboard x SNOOPY “magic Christmas eve 2024” opened on December 8, 2024 (sunday) at the KOBELCO Great Hall in the Hyogo Arts center.The official live report has been released.
live report
The Snoopy Orchestra Concert, the fifth year of the series, opened on December 8 at the Hyogo Arts Center’s KOBELCO Great Hall. This production started in 2020 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of PEANUTS, and Yu Shirota, who has been performing as the first year, has been directing it since last year, and the title was changed to[Oíche Dhraíochtúil na nollag]. Yu Shirota will appear in the Nippon Television drama “Ikinari Kon” (Platinum Tuesday Night slot airing in January), announced today, and his wide-ranging activities as an artist and actor are attracting increasing attention in the genres.
When you enter the concert, you will see a large Christmas tree decorated with bright ornaments and gifts, art sets such as a snowman and a bright red dog house, which gives you a sense of the world of PEANUTS.This design was created by Rumi Matsui, a leader in stage design and winner of many awards. At the venue, natural sounds such as the voices of insects and chirping birds were played, which served as a prelude to the forest concert that was about to begin.
The stage opened with an overture performed by a full orchestra and a jazz piano trio, and the audience went wild. When Shirota,who serves as the lead singer,appeared on stage,he sang everything from standard numbers to popular J-Pop songs.
At this Hyogo performance, Win Morisaki, who was in contact with Shirota in both his professional and private life, was a guest. A cover of Keisuke Kuwata’s ”Shiroi koibitotachi” with an orchestral arrangement. In addition, the Western Christmas music medley captivated the audience with the harmonies of Shirota and Morisaki, the chorus of the unique six-member vocal group FYURA, and a relaxed session that brought out everyone’s character.Images of the PEANUTS gang and others were projected from the LED panels set up on the big Christmas tree, and together with the gorgeous lighting, the audience was enthralled from start to finish.
At the end of the main story, Shirota and music director/pianist Takana Miyamoto co-wrote “Yume no Tane ~ I’ll be by your side”, which was co-written last year as an image song for this concert and released digitally. in October this year. The euphoria in the venue reached its peak, and the event ended with two Christmas songs performed as an encore.
On December 12, a performance was held in Hokkaido at the Hitaru Cultural Arts Theater of Sapporo, and the guest was promising singer KIMIKA, whose singing voice was recognized by Lady Gaga. Thelma Aoyama, who is active not only in music but also in fashion and variety shows, will be in the final performance in Tokyo, which will be held on December 23 at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Main Hall. For both performances, original items that were popular at the Hyogo performance will also be on sale.
photo: Issei Watanabe
(C) 2024 Peanuts Worldwide LLC
Performance facts
Classics billboard × SNOOPY 『Magic Christmas Night 2024』
Date/Venue:
[Hyogo]December 8, 2024 (Sunday) Hyogo Arts and Culture Center/Hyogo KOBELCO Great Hall OPEN 18:15 / START 19:00 *End
[Hokkaido]December 12, 2024 (Thursday) Hokkaido/ Sapporo Cultural Arts Theater hitaru OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00
[Tóiceo]December 23, 2024 (Monday) Tokyo, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Great Hall OPEN 18:00 / START 19:00
Cast: Yu Shirota, Snoopy
Guest voices:
[hyogo]Morisaki win
[Hokkaido]CHEMISTRY
[Tóiceo]Thelma Aoyama
Director: Hirobumi Kurita
Piano/music supervision: Takana Miyamoto
Drums:
[Hokkaido/Tóiceo]Gene jackson
[Hyogo]Dennis Frese
Bass: Pat Glynn
orchestral music:
[Hyogo]Kyoto Philharmonic Billboard Classics Orchestra
[Hokkaido]Billboard Classics Orchestra
[Tóiceo]tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
Chorus: FYURA
fixed list
M1 Overture 2024 (Orchestra + Jazz Piano Trio) new
Skating M2 (Orchestral + Jazz Piano Trio)
M3 christmas Carol (Orchestral + Jazz piano Trio)
M4 Let It Snow (Yu Shirota, Orchestra + Jazz Piano Trio)
Midsummer Fruits M5 (Yu Shirota, Orchestra + Jazz Piano Trio)
M6 My Favorite Things (Yu sh
irota, jazz Piano Trio) new
M7 Christmas Jazz Medley (Jazz Piano Trio) new
Magical Orchestra Christmas Eve M8 Medley (Orchestral + Jazz Piano Trio) new
M9 Just Like Me (Guest Artist, Orchestra + Jazz Piano Trio)
M10 White Lovers (Win Morisaki, Orchestra) new
M11 West Christmas Drive ~Last christmas/Happy Little Christmas/This Christmas/I Saw Grandma Kissing santa Claus~ (all cast) new
M12 Yume no Seed ~ I’ll be by your side (image song “Christmas Magic Night”) (yu Shirota, Orchestra + Jazz piano Trio)
*New…The first performance of this performance
◎ Original goods information
Advance sale 17:00-17:30
General sales 18:00-19:00
What design elements are featured in the “Snoopy Orchestra Concert” to enhance the holiday spirit?
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with music and stage expert Rumi Matsui, the talented designer behind the magical sets for the “Snoopy Orchestra Concert” that just kicked off its fifth year at the KOBELCO Great hall in Hyogo. Rumi,thank you for joining us!
Rumi matsui: Thank you for having me! Its great to be here.
Editor: The concert, titled “Oíche Dhraíochtúil na nollag,” sounds like a spectacular event steeped in the holiday spirit. Can you tell us about the design inspiration for this year’s concert?
Rumi: Absolutely! My primary goal was to immerse the audience in the whimsical world of PEANUTS. I designed an enormous christmas tree adorned with luminous ornaments and gifts, along with other enchanting elements like a snowman and a bright red dog house. These decorations set a joyful and festive atmosphere,inviting the audience to step into a winter wonderland.
Editor: It seems the decor plays a key role in creating that enchanting ambiance. I understand the concert also featured natural sounds like chirping birds.What was the idea behind incorporating those elements?
Rumi: Incorporating natural sounds was crucial for setting the scene. It acts as a gentle prelude, helping to transition the audience into the forest concert atmosphere. Sounds of insects and birds create an organic backdrop that enhances the overall experience, helping everyone feel closer to the magic of nature, which is central to the Snoopy universe.
Editor: The collaboration with Yu Shirota must have been exciting.How did his role impact the visual design?
Rumi: Yu is a remarkable artist. His passion and vision for the performance informed many of my choices. He wanted something vibrant and engaging, which is why we opted for a more vivid color palette and dynamic lighting. His energy on stage truly elevates the overall performance,making it even more vital for the visuals to match that enthusiasm.
Editor: It sounds like a dynamic partnership! In a show that blends music and visuals, how do you balance the two to ensure neither overshadows the other?
Rumi: That’s a great question! I believe it’s about synergy. Light design must work seamlessly with the music to enhance, not compete with it. As an example, as Yu performs popular J-pop songs and standards, the lighting transitions are synchronized with the rhythm and mood of each piece, creating a unified experience for the audience.
Editor: With the mix of orchestral arrangements and the presence of guest artists like Win Morisaki, how important is diversity in a performance like this?
Rumi: Diversity is essential.It keeps the audience engaged and allows for different musical textures. Having Win Morisaki bring his unique flair to the stage, especially with classic songs like “Shiroi Koibitotachi,” adds a layer of excitement. The harmonies created with groups like FYURA also infuse the performance with a fresh energy that resonates well with the audience.
Editor: It seems like “magic” is a recurring theme in this concert. What do you hope audience members will take away from this experience?
Rumi: My hope is that they leave feeling uplifted and inspired. This concert is about celebrating joy, connection, and the wonder of the holiday season. If we can evoke feelings of nostalgia and happiness, then we’ve accomplished something truly special.
Editor: Thank you, Rumi, for sharing your insights! it sounds like “Snoopy Orchestra Concert” is an event filled with joy and creativity. We’re excited to see the impact it has on audiences this season!
Rumi: Thank you! I hope everyone enjoys the performance as much as we enjoyed creating it!