Society

Vienna orchestra performs in Japan, 1st overseas concert since March

Nov 06 (Kyodo) - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performed Thursday in southwestern Japan as part of its first tour outside Austria in over six months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The world-renowned orchestra, which performed in Germany in March, began its Japan tour in Kitakyushu after arriving in the country the previous day. The orchestra will also perform at three other venues in Osaka, Kawasaki and Tokyo during its stay through Nov. 14.

The repertoire on Thursday included Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 with Russian conductor Valery Gergiev.

The latter was played in honor of the victims of Monday's terror attack in Vienna, which killed four people and injured dozens more. Islamic State extremists claimed responsibility for the attack.

Concertgoers were asked to refrain from expressing vocal appreciation, such as shouting "Bravo," to prevent spreading the virus.

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