Taro Morikawa
Opera Director
Ouverture
Hi, I’m Taro Morikawa. I was born and raised in Vienna and studied Opera Singing and Directing in Vienna at the MDW, where I graduated with distinction after creating an immersive production of Die Fledermaus.
My directing debut was in 2022 with Le nozze di Figaro at Croatia’s National Theatre in Varaždin, and in 2024, I had my Austrian debut at the Salzburger Festspiele with Capriccio for the Opera Camp. Up until now, I have successfully directed 10 Operas by various composers.
I’m really passionate about bringing opera to young audiences and love trying out modern, creative ways to make it more accessible—like through my growing YouTube channel. I’d love for you to check it out!
Next Productions
2025
Maria Stuarda
(more infos coming soon)
2026
Very stoked for my debut as Director for Musical!
(more infos coming soon)
Die Fledermaus
A unique opera production featuring an immersive second act that draws the audience into intense, intimate scenes.
Sit back, relax and have fun watching the entire video on YouTube!
Le nozze di Figaro
Taro masterfully narrates the story with a human touch, leading to a point where it becomes unclear if a single person is to blame, or if it’s the myriad of lies upon which all characters have built their lives.
How can we make opera more accessible for the young generation?
“I’ve been inspired by a beekeeper, a magician, and a table tennis player who launched their YouTube channels, gained up to a million subscribers, and helped grow the communities they love. I believe something similar is possible with opera. Let me give it a try and see where it leads!”
Dido and Aeneas
The choir “Via” was awarded the Ivan Werner Prize for the musical-scenic performance of “Dido and Aeneas”
Return of the prodigal son
World Premiere of the croatian opera by
A. Igrec “Povratak Razmetnoga Sina” at the Nationaltheatre of Croatia in Varazdin.
“With deep understanding of each character and scene, Morikawa masterfully guided the action, giving it meaning and depth. Under his direction, the soloists delivered a powerful and evocative performance, both dramatically and vocally.”
— Vijenac, Croatian cultural magazine
Catch the beat
A contemporary Juggling show with the multiple world records holding “Jonglissimo” containing Club, Ball, Ring and Bigballjuggling, Diabolo, Object Manipulation and live music.
Capriccio
Salzburger Festspiele 2024
Opera Camp
A children’s adventure through various Operas by R.Strauss, such as “Salome”, “Der Rosenkavalier”, “Die Frau ohne Schatten” to ultimately arrive at Richard’s working place to find out that…
Directing
February 2025
2025 Nationaltheatre of Croatia in Varaždin
Music: Anđelko Igrec
Libretto: Miro Gavran
Adapted by: Branko Ružić
Production Team
Conductor: Anđelko Igrec
Choir Conductor: Anđelko Igrec
Assistant Choir Conductor: Luka Sopar
Director: Taro Morikawa
Stage & Costume Designer: Mladen Grof Jerneić Erdödy
Assistant Costume Designer: Željka Vidović Skec
Lighting Designer: Tomislav Maglečić
Repetiteur: David Vuković
Producer (“Chorus angelicus” Varaždin): Karla Kelemen
Stage Managers: Josipa Škerbić & Vid Ilčić
Varaždin Chamber Orchestra
Concertmaster: Ivana Penić Defar
Choir “Chorus angelicus” Varaždin
World Premiere
February 8, 2025
Cast
Father (bass): Berislav Puškarić
Young Son (tenor): Mislav Lucić
Mara (soprano), fiancée of the young son: Tia Pikija
Older Son (baritone): Matija Meić
Rada (mezzo), wife of the older son: Martina Menegoni
Naomi (alto), prostitute: Emilia Rukavina
Bartender (baritone): Benjamin Šuran
Merchant (baritone): Jurica Jurašić Kapun
Pigfarmer (baritone): Luka Sopar
Entertainer (tenor): Šimun Sopar
Chorus
Peasants, prostitutes, pigs.
January 2025
A Production of Teatro Trinitario
Osaka at the Big hall of Fenice Sakai.
August 2024
Croatian National Theatre – Varazdin
Conductor: Darijan Ivezić
Setdesign: Anna Grzelewska
Costume: Mladen Grof Jerneic Erdody (Ferdinand)
Capriccio
July 2024
Salzburger Festival
Concept – Tscho Theissing, Taro Morikawa
Arrangement – Tscho Theissing
Directing, Dramaturgy, Text – Taro Morikawa
Conductor – Daniela Ivanova
Stage&Costume – Simon Huber
August 2023
Croatian National Theatre – Varazdin
Conductor: Darijan Ivezić
Costume & Setdesign: Mladen Grof Jerneic Erdody (Ferdinand)
24th & 25th of April 2023 19:00
Diploma’s exam for Opera Directing at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (MDW)
Location: Penzingerstraße 7, 1140 Wien
Set & Costume design: Anna Kreinecker
Conductor: Anton Brezinka
17 & 18 of August 2022
Croatian National Theatre – Varazdin
Conductor: Darijan Ivezić
Costume & Setdesign: Mladen Grof Jerneic Erdody (Ferdinand)
Date: 15. June 2022
Location: Anny Felbermayer Probebühne
Conductor: Sebastián Almánzar
Stage & Costume Design: Ekaterina Levtonova
Juggling Show with
Jonglissimo
Date: July 2021
Location: International
Date: October 2020
Location: Schlosstheater Schönbrunn
Conductor: Anton Brezinka
Stage & Costume Design: Felix Huber
Date: March 2019
Location: Anny Felbermayer Probebühne
Conductor: Jacob Bass
Director: Taro Morikawa
Stage Design: Vanessa Pressl
Opera Pasticcio by Taro Morikawa
Date: June 2018
Location: Anny Felbermayer Probebühne
La Clemenza di Tito
by W.A.Mozart
Novi Marof (Croatia) – 2024
Tito earnestly strives to shoulder every burden of his roman empire. Can he be truly successful?
L'enfant et les sortilèges
“Taro has a deep understanding of the music and stages in a way that is both supportive and engaging for singers and conductors.”
– Anton Brezinka (Conductor)