Seiji Ozawa - Ailing Conductor Ozawa Cuts Short Comeback Performance

Japanese conductor SEIJI OZAWA was forced to cut short his concert comeback on Sunday (05Sep10), because months of cancer treatment has left him too weak to stand.

The acclaimed musical director of the Vienna State Opera has been receiving treatment for oesophagus cancer since his diagnosis in January (10), but he decided to return to the stage at the Saito Kinen Festival in Matsumoto, Japan this weekend.

Ozawa began conducting Tchaikovsky's Serenade For Strings but had to rest on a stool as the orchestra completed classical piece before issuing an apology to the audience.

Turning to the crowd, the 75 year old said, "I'm sorry. I can't keep standing. I promise to make it next year."

Ozawa previously cancelled a string of European concerts scheduled for December (10), due to his ailing health, but a concert at New York's Carnegie Hall is expected to go ahead as planned on 14 December (10).