Yoko Nagae Ceschina
Encyclopedia
Countess is a Japanese-born mecenate living in Italy who in February 2008 was in the news for funding the New York Philharmonic
's concert in Pyongyang.
Born in 1932 in Kumamoto Prefecture
, Japan, she graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
and went to Italy in 1960 to study harp
as the very first publicly funded Japanese student abroad since World War II
. In 1962 she met Count Renzo Ceschina, a millionaire businessman from Milan whom she married in 1977.
Her husband died few years later and she spent a decade fighting his relatives over his inheritance. His estate was reportedly worth nearly 190 million dollars. Having won, she devoted herself to promoting music.
She has sponsored countless musicians and concerts, among them Valeri Gergiev, conductor of the Mariinski Theatre in St-Petersburg, and purchased Maxim Vengerov
's excellent violin, for which he greatly thanks her, expressing appreciation in all of his program notes.
About the controversies surrounding the concert in North Korea, she says:
"I know nothing about politics, I don't care about the conflicts between North Korea, Japan, United States. I love music and music is a universal language. I am pleased I can make the concert possible, I hope it can contribute to peace".
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
's concert in Pyongyang.
Born in 1932 in Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyushu Island. The capital is the city of Kumamoto.- History :Historically the area was called Higo Province; and the province was renamed Kumamoto during the Meiji Restoration. The creation of prefectures was part of the abolition of the feudal system...
, Japan, she graduated from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
or is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Kitasenju, Adachi, Tokyo...
and went to Italy in 1960 to study harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
as the very first publicly funded Japanese student abroad since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1962 she met Count Renzo Ceschina, a millionaire businessman from Milan whom she married in 1977.
Her husband died few years later and she spent a decade fighting his relatives over his inheritance. His estate was reportedly worth nearly 190 million dollars. Having won, she devoted herself to promoting music.
She has sponsored countless musicians and concerts, among them Valeri Gergiev, conductor of the Mariinski Theatre in St-Petersburg, and purchased Maxim Vengerov
Maxim Vengerov
Maxim Alexandrovich Vengerov is a violinist, violist, and conductor who was born in the Soviet Union.-Youth:Born on 20 August 1974 in Novosibirsk, Russia, to a family with musical tradition....
's excellent violin, for which he greatly thanks her, expressing appreciation in all of his program notes.
About the controversies surrounding the concert in North Korea, she says:
"I know nothing about politics, I don't care about the conflicts between North Korea, Japan, United States. I love music and music is a universal language. I am pleased I can make the concert possible, I hope it can contribute to peace".