Acclaimed Japanese Conductor Seiji Ozawa Dies at Age 88

Former Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Seiji Ozawa conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," at Symphony Hall, in Boston, on Nov. 26, 2008. (AP)
Former Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Seiji Ozawa conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," at Symphony Hall, in Boston, on Nov. 26, 2008. (AP)
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Acclaimed Japanese Conductor Seiji Ozawa Dies at Age 88

Former Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Seiji Ozawa conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," at Symphony Hall, in Boston, on Nov. 26, 2008. (AP)
Former Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Seiji Ozawa conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique," at Symphony Hall, in Boston, on Nov. 26, 2008. (AP)

World-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa has died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo, his management office said Friday. He was 88.

The acclaimed Japanese maestro led the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002, longer than any other conductor in the orchestra’s 128-year history. From 2002 to 2010, he was music director of the Vienna State Opera.

Ozawa exerted enormous influence over the BSO during his tenure. His celebrity attracted famous performers like Yo-Yo Ma. He won two Emmys for television work with the orchestra.

When Ozawa conducted the Boston orchestra in 2006 for the first time since he left four years before, he received a hero’s welcome with a nearly six-minute ovation.

Ozawa was also the artistic director and founder of the Saito Kinen Festival, Japan’s music and opera festival.

Ozawa died on Tuesday at his Tokyo home, according to his management office, Veroza Japan. His funeral was attended only by close relatives as his family wished to have a quiet farewell, his office said.



Saudi Entertainment Authority Inaugurates AlHisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh

AlHisn Big Time Studios feature seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 square meters. (SPA)
AlHisn Big Time Studios feature seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 square meters. (SPA)
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Saudi Entertainment Authority Inaugurates AlHisn Big Time Studios in Riyadh

AlHisn Big Time Studios feature seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 square meters. (SPA)
AlHisn Big Time Studios feature seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 square meters. (SPA)

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al Al-Sheikh inaugurated on Monday AlHisn Big Time Studios, west of Riyadh, the largest and most modern studios for film and television production in the Middle East. The studios will help boost film and television production in the region.

AlHisn Big Time Studios, built in just 120 days, feature seven studio buildings covering an area of 10,500 square meters; the total project area measures 300,000 square meters. It also features a production village, with carpentry and metalworking workshops, as well as costume design facilities.

Additional amenities include luxurious suites for VIPs, offices for film production, and fully equipped editing rooms, all creating an ideal work environment that helps increase production efficiency.

The studios aim to streamline and accelerate production processes by concentrating the needs of film and television production in one location, saving time, effort, and costs, while supporting the production sector in the region on par with global standards.

The facility will provide a strategic opportunity for the financial and banking sector to support production companies. It will pave the way for a significant leap in film and television production at both local and regional levels.