St. Cousair Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Iizuna, Nagano; President Ryota Kuze) operates Winery Restaurant St. Cousair, which will hold a one-night-only special event on Saturday, August 29, 2026: a casual evening of live opera performances paired with a limited course menu, called "Opera Dinner – A Song and Cuisine Duet, the Final Chapter of Summer."
The centerpiece of the evening is a striking live performance by musicians with serious credentials, led by baritone Kei Kondo, who was born in Nagano City. The event is designed to bring the experience of real, world-class art to Nagano without needing to visit an opera house. Guests can enjoy a luxurious evening overlooking the vineyard at sunset, paired with St. Cousair's own wine and cuisine.
A Mature, Adult Culture, from Iizuna – Rooted in the Company's Founding Spirit
St. Cousair Hill began when founders Ryozo and Mayumi Kuze, then in their 30s, traveled through the French countryside and were deeply moved by the "mature adult beauty and richness" of life there. Guided by the ideal of turning their own rural hometown into an equally mature and wonderful place, they built a winery and restaurant in Iizuna.
This "Opera Dinner – A Song and Cuisine Duet, the Final Chapter of Summer" event returns to that founding spirit. Wine and opera are often seen as exclusive or hard to approach, but by offering them in St. Cousair's own comfortable setting, the company hopes guests can enjoy them more easily, helping to spread a richer culture in the region.
Planner's Voice: Sommelier Shun Miyazawa
Many people feel that opera and wine are somewhat exclusive or intimidating. What we want to offer from this place, though, is time that can be enjoyed without formality — time that makes everyday life just a little richer.
Whether guests already love opera or are experiencing it for the first time, we hope to deliver a memorable experience that combines live performances of famous opera pieces with seasonal cuisine. A special drink is also available for guests who don't drink alcohol, so everyone is welcome to join.
Leading Musicians with Ties to Nagano Perform the "Final Chapter of Summer"
On the day of the event, as the summer heat eases into an evening breeze, musicians with ties to Nagano Prefecture will perform a program of refined music.
Baritone: Kei Kondo
Born in Nagano City, Kondo graduated at the top of his class from the graduate school of Kunitachi College of Music and completed the 9th class of the New National Theatre Opera Studio. He studied in Germany on a scholarship from the Rohm Music Foundation. His credits include the role of the grandfather clock in "L'enfant et les sortilèges" conducted by Seiji Ozawa and Papageno in "The Magic Flute" at the New National Theatre, with more than 70 roles performed at major theaters across Japan.
In recent years he has also worked in stage direction and production, and appears frequently on television and other media. He is a lecturer at the Tokyo Nikikai Opera Studio.
Soprano: Shihoko Higashida
A graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts, Higashida was admitted to the New National Theatre Opera Studio at the youngest age on record. She completed graduate studies with top honors at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock in Germany, and has appeared in numerous operas and concerts in Japan and abroad, including the Saito Kinen Festival.
Her voice, often described as crystal-clear, has consistently earned high praise. She spent her childhood summers in Iizuna and is a longtime fan of St. Cousair.
Piano: Yuki Tsujita
Tsujita studied at the Music Department of Osaka Prefectural Yuhigaoka High School before graduating from the piano performance program at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and completing the university's master's program, where he was selected as an outstanding piano performer at graduation. He currently lectures at Seitoku University and Showa University of Music.
Event Overview
Event name: Opera Dinner – A Song and Cuisine Duet, the Final Chapter of Summer
Date and time: Saturday, August 29, 2026; doors open 5:30 PM / show starts 6:00 PM
Venue: Winery Restaurant St. Cousair
Menu:
- Amuse-bouche: Evening Glow – Shinano-machi corn verrine
- Hors d'oeuvre: Late Summer Colors – Shinshu salmon mi-cuit with two dressings
- Main dish: Fragrance of Late Summer – Roasted beef with red wine sauce
- Dessert: Aria Under the Moon – Opera-style panna cotta
- Coffee or tea after the meal
- One drink included: choice of St. Cousair's own wine or a premium non-alcoholic cocktail
Price: ¥9,600 (tax included), including the performance, course meal, and one drink (same price whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
Reservations: Online reservation form
Notes:
- Reservation deadline: Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 5:00 PM
- Reservations close once the venue reaches capacity
- For reservations made from August 26 onward, please contact the restaurant by phone
- No shuttle bus service is provided
Restaurant and Contact Information
Name: Winery Restaurant St. Cousair
Address: 1260 Imogawa, Iizuna, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano 389-1201
Phone: 026-253-8070 (reception hours 10:00 AM–5:00 PM)
Website: https://www.stcousair.co.jp/valley
