Japan conductor Seiji Ozawa diagnosed with cancer, cancels concerts for 6 months

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Japan conductor Seiji Ozawa diagnosed with cancer

TOKYO — Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa said Thursday he has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and will cancel all his concerts for six months to receive treatment.

Ozawa, an icon in the classical music world, said the cancer was spotted following a regular medical checkup late last year.

“I am perfectly fine right now. I have no problems drinking or eating,” the 74-year-old maestro said at a news conference in Tokyo. A doctor who accompanied Ozawa said the cancer is in an early stage.

“I will abide by the doctors’ advice. I will be back within six months,” a smiling Ozawa said.

He will cancel all his concerts from January to June during which his office said there are around 30 concerts at home and abroad scheduled.

Ozawa is currently chief conductor of the Vienna State Opera. He took the post in 2002, and his tenure is set to expire in June.

Ioan Holender, the director of the Austrian opera, said he was affected by the news and greatly regretted that Ozawa would not be able to finish his term.

“Our thoughts and best wishes go to Seiji Ozawa,” Holender said in a statement.

Before the Vienna opera, the Japanese conductor served 29 years as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Ozawa led the American orchestra longer than any other conductor in its 125-year history.

When Ozawa conducted the Boston orchestra in 2006 — four years after he had left the group — he received a hero’s welcome with a nearly six-minute ovation.

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

The Saito Kinen said it was hoping for Ozawa’s swift return.

“We appreciate his passion for music. We are eagerly waiting for his comeback,” an official at the festival said.

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Associated Press writer Veronika Oleksyn in Vienna contributed to this report.