Kazuko Hillyer International

Kazuko Hillyer International Inc

Company type	Private
Industry	Performing arts production and management
Founded	1970 (1970)
Founder	Kazuko Hillyer
Defunct	1992 (1992)
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Area served	International
Products	Performing arts tours and management

Kazuko Hillyer International Inc was a New York City-based enterprise specializing in performing arts production and management, established in 1970 by Kazuko Hillyer. The firm coordinated tours for prestigious clients such as the Tokyo String Quartet, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grand Kabuki, Jewish Theater of Romania, and the Zambia National Folk and Music Ensemble.

History

The company began operations from the apartment shared by Kazuko Hillyer and her husband, Raphael Hillyer of the Juilliard String Quartet. Despite the limited cultural interaction during that period, it successfully arranged tours with East German artists in 1972. By 1975, the agency represented an international roster comprising 50 conductors and solo performers along with 20 orchestras.

One of the company's notable achievements was managing the Metropolitan Opera's inaugural tour to Japan in May–June 1975. Kazuko Hillyer secured funding from Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Company, allowing the financially struggling Met to perform in three Japanese cities with all expenses covered and a profitable outcome. The tour showcased eminent opera talents: La traviata featured Joan Sutherland and Robert Merrill under conductor Richard Bonynge; Carmen included performances by Marilyn Horne, conductor Henry Lewis, Lucine Amara, and James McCracken; La bohème alternated tenors Franco Corelli and Luciano Pavarotti, with Dorothy Kirsten portraying Mimi.

In 1992, the organization filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11, which was subsequently converted to asset liquidation under Chapter 7.