Anna Etsuko Tsuri August Newsletter. (English version)
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Anna Etsuko Tsuri Newsletter August 2026
Warm greetings from Munich!
This is Anna Etsuko Tsuri, opera director and conductor.
I am sending this newsletter to my friends, former teachers, colleagues, and everyone who has participated in my courses or events. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter in the future, simply reply briefly to this email.
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Hello from Munich!
This is Anna Etsuko Tsuri, opera director and conductor.
I send this newsletter to my friends, former teachers, colleagues, and everyone who has previously taken part in my lessons, workshops, or events. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter in the future, simply reply briefly to this email and let me know.
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Today I have five pieces of news to share:
1. 【Workshop: Summer Mochi (Warabi Mochi) with Mugwort】 On August 30 — and we will even begin by gathering mugwort together!
2. 【Let’s Go to a Ball Together & Ballroom Dance Lessons】 Advance registration for our next ball is now open to newsletter readers.
3. 【Lyrics Competition】 Would you like to try writing song lyrics in German?
4. 【Peter and the Wolf】 We are looking for an overall manager for our organization, as well as additional people to serve as treasurer and legal advisor.
5. 【Opera Club】 Change of plans: instead of Semele, we will go to La Traviata in December.
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August has begun, and the typical summer-holiday atmosphere is already in the air all over Munich. While other people are enjoying their vacations, I am sitting in front of my computer every day from early morning until late at night, working at full speed on preparations for our performances of Peter and the Wolf next year.
For more than ten years, I have been running Opera Pomme Rouge, a nonprofit organization founded in New York. Until now, I have handled almost everything there — concept development, stage direction, organization, and administration — largely on my own.
For our next Munich project, however, I would like to take things a step further. I want both the artistic quality and the scale of the project to be brought up to a truly professional level.
And at the moment, I almost feel as though I have received a message from heaven:
“You must not do all of this alone. Create it together with many people.”
I want to take this message very much to heart.
When I look back on my life so far, I realize that I have always been drawn precisely to art forms that can only come into being through collaboration with other people. Stage directing is like that. Conducting is like that. Ballroom dancing is like that as well.
None of these things can be done alone.
Sometimes I ask myself why I always choose exactly these kinds of things. Why didn’t I become a painter or a pianist and choose an art form that could be realized entirely on my own? Why do I love, of all things, art forms that require so many people?
The same is true of the issue I am currently dealing with — building a nonprofit organization.
A normal for-profit company can be founded by one person. A nonprofit organization, on the other hand, requires several people. In New York, at least three — and in Germany, for a registered association, as many as seven!
Perhaps I really did come into this world with the life theme:
“Creating something together with other people.”
Working with others is not always easy. But I believe that beyond all these difficulties, there is a kind of bliss waiting that can never be experienced if one always works alone.
Anyone who has ever played in an orchestra or ensemble probably knows this: when things are not going well, different groups or sections can clash, mistrust and tension can arise, and suddenly an unpleasant atmosphere hangs over the entire orchestra. But when the hearts of all the musicians come together and truly good music is created collectively, that feeling of happiness is simply incredible. It cannot be compared at all with the feeling of making music alone. (Perhaps this really is a small glimpse of the feeling of “oneness” in the universe.)
So my current motto is:
“Don’t do everything alone — join forces and do it together.”
Of course, it would be wonderful if I could feel that same beautiful sense of happiness even while doing administrative work, founding an association, writing grant applications, and handling the thousands of small organizational tasks that come with planning an event.
Apparently, I still need a little more practice before I can reach that point. :-)
But one thing I became aware of this month is this:
Perhaps work becomes easier if, instead of focusing on how tedious the task in front of you is, you imagine the happy faces of everyone once everything is finished.
This little shift in perspective might also work when studying for exams, by the way. Please give it a try!
And in any case:
I am truly very fortunate in my life. At every stage and in all kinds of situations, I have always been surrounded by many people who help and support me in so many different ways.
And now, with our new Peter and the Wolf project, that circle is growing enormously once again. More and more new people are joining us. Here in Munich, there are people who are thinking through the organizational structure together with me and helping me with documents and applications. At the same time, there are friends far away in the United States, Japan, France, and Austria who quietly support me emotionally.
I am truly supported and carried by an incredible number of people.
Thank you, thank you all so much!!!
I sincerely believe that our interactive project Peter and the Wolf can become a place where children — and adults as well — can rediscover the true power of music. A place where people can rediscover the beauty of the performing arts. And ultimately, a place where, through the power of art, we can regain something of our humanity. And if people around the world can reconnect more deeply with their humanity through music, then I truly believe this can also make a small contribution to world peace.
At the first performance of Peter and the Wolf in February of this year, however, I took on far too many things by myself. I was so busy that I became completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally. After the performance, I was completely burned out for several months, and I kept asking myself:
“Why am I doing this, really? Do I truly need to sacrifice my own life for this? Shouldn’t I spend my time and energy on what other people call ‘advancing my career’ instead?”
At the end of July and the beginning of August, I seriously resumed my work on Peter and the Wolf — and exactly the same questions came up again.
By now, I have found my answer:
“I want to see a different landscape from the one I have seen so far. I do not want to continue this project simply as ‘a small performance by a small nonprofit group that is somehow trying to look professional.’ I want to raise it to a truly professional level.”
Where is my life going?
What does it even mean to be a “winner” or a “loser” in life?
What is true happiness?
What do I actually want?
Money? Fame? Freedom? Time? And for what?
These are the kinds of questions I have been thinking about a great deal lately.
If anyone would like to talk about these kinds of topics sometime, please feel very free to get in touch with me!
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1. 【Workshop: Summer Mochi (Warabi Mochi) with Mugwort】
We will begin by gathering mugwort together!
Recently, I had the opportunity to hold my first Mugwort Oil Workshop, and I was very happy that it was so well received by the participants.
Afterwards, I received various inquiries, and it makes me very happy to see that so many people here in Germany are also interested in mugwort.
At my previous workshop, several people asked for another mugwort workshop. So this time, I would like to make Summer Mochi (Warabi Mochi) with Mugwort together with you.
The mugwort is still growing beautifully green and abundantly in our fields.
We will first meet together at the garden, gather fresh mugwort there, and then begin making the Summer Mochi.
This time, we will enjoy them together with anko, sweet red bean paste.
While we are cooking, there will also be a small tasting of an alcohol-free Aperol-style drink with mugwort. Once our Summer Mochi are ready, we will enjoy them together in a small tasting session, during which I will also serve mugwort tea.
Date and Schedule
Sunday, August 30, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration and further information can be found here:
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2. 【Let’s Go to a Ball Together!】
Advance registration for newsletter readers is now open for our ball and for the ballroom dance preparation course beginning in October
Would you like to go with us to a beautiful, sparkling ball — almost like something out of a fairy tale?
From October through January, you can learn with us all twelve dances that are danced at a traditional ball. We will attend the ball itself as a group of 24 people. This year, four very good dancers will also come with us and dance with members of our group.
Normally, we meet once a month for group practice. In January, there will be an intensive course: we will dance every Sunday morning in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
You are also very welcome to take part without a dance partner.
Children and teenagers from elementary-school age through the end of high school may participate in the lessons free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
For preschool children, babysitting can be arranged during the dance lesson. Babysitting costs are charged separately. It is also possible to share a babysitter with other participants.
Anyone joining as a beginner will additionally receive the following upon enrollment:
more than 10 hours of lesson videos as well as 6 hours of private lessons.
With these six hours of private instruction, we will help prepare you so that you can comfortably keep up once you join the group lessons. So even complete beginners do not need to worry.
For those who live farther away and cannot regularly attend lessons in Munich — or whose schedule does not match our class times — there is also a way to participate:
After each lesson, I send out a video covering that month’s lesson content. This means you can learn and review the dances at home at your own pace.
Our next ball will take place on Friday, February 5, 2027!
Let’s all go to the ball together!
Further information and registration for the ball and the preparatory ballroom dance course can be found here:
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3. 【Lyrics Competition】
Would you like to write song lyrics in German?
In the second half of the musical theater piece Peter and the Wolf, there is a scene in which Peter and the hunters take the captured wolf to the zoo in a triumphant procession.
The melody in this scene is simply beautiful!
In the original work, there are actually no sung passages — all of the music is performed by the orchestra.
But I thought:
How much more fun would it be if the entire audience could sing along at this point!
And of course, in order to sing, we need lyrics. That is why we are holding a lyrics competition for our “Victory March”!
The winner will be introduced on stage during the performance, their name will be printed in the program, and of course they will also receive a small gift.
Submission deadline: November 15, 2026
Please submit your lyrics using this form.
You will also find the sheet music there, so you can see exactly which melody the lyrics should be written for:
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4. 【Peter and the Wolf】
We are looking for an overall manager for our organization
Overall Management / Organizational Management, Treasurer, and Legal Advisor
For our performances next February, we would like to significantly expand both the project and the organization.
〈Managing Director, Treasurer, Legal Advisor〉
For this purpose, we are looking for three people to take responsibility for the overall management of the organization and the treasurer role.
I myself would like, as artistic director, to focus primarily on conducting, stage direction, and the artistic design. In the future, I would therefore like to place the organizational and business management in the hands of another person.
If you are interested, please feel very free to contact me.
A prerequisite is very good spoken and written German.
Experience in managing or administering a nonprofit organization would be a major advantage.
〈Shadow Puppeteer〉
For the performances next February, we are also looking for one additional person to join our shadow theater team.
Previous experience with shadow theater is not required.
This role may be particularly suitable for someone who grew up watching anime or animated films and who has a certain degree of musical understanding or some experience playing an instrument.
The shadow puppeteer does not need to play an instrument themselves. However, for this piece, they must know the entire music very well or memorize it, because the figures have to be moved precisely in rhythm and in coordination with the music.
The rehearsals will mainly take place between Christmas and the beginning of January, as well as during approximately the two weeks leading up to the performances in February.
〈Violin and Violoncello〉
We are also still looking for violin and cello players.
Orchestra rehearsals generally take place once a month. We take a break in December. Instead, there will be some more intensive rehearsals on weekends in February.
Performance Dates
February 26, 2027 – Theater Markt Schwaben (approximately 30 minutes by train from central Munich)
February 28, 2027 – Venue not yet known
Further information will follow.
Please do come, and bring your family, friends, and acquaintances with you!
In order to realize this production at the highest possible level, we are also currently looking for grant funding as well as support from companies and private donors.
We are a very warm and friendly group, and we work together in an open and pleasant atmosphere.
Anyone who would like to join us in pursuing the big goal of
“World Peace Through Music”
is very welcome!
If you are interested, please contact me at:
annamunich8@gmail.com
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5. 【Opera Club】
Change of plans — next time: La Traviata on December 5
Our next Opera Club event is now planned for December 5.
We will go together to see Verdi’s La Traviata.
Registration will open in October.
I would be very happy if you joined us — and I hope you are already looking forward to it!
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Thank you very much for reading all the way to the end.
Don’t forget to smile today as well — and have a wonderful day!
Anna Etsuko Tsuri
I’m currently working on a project to help my YouTube channel pass the 4,000 watch-hours requirement. As of late August, the channel has reached 1,964 hours. I would really appreciate your support!
Here is the channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiCF9BAhSzext6ZBR9hNuFA
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