One might well think that 58,000 yen is an excessive amount to ask for a single seat in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, even for grand opera.
Granted, opera is expensive to produce, it is popular here, and hopping a plane to Milan to take in the spectacle at La Scala would cost considerably more. But producer and booking agency NBS was asking over $1,000 per couple for "La Forza del Destino," even before shelling out for transportation to the hall, drinks during intermission, dinner out and a baby sitter at home. Who can afford it?
NBS's dapper director Isao Hirowatari gently let me know: All the performances were completely sold out. Tokyo Bunka Kaikan seats 2,303 people, and the audience was a sea of black hair.