In 2003, Nishimoto conducted Giuseppe Verdi's La traviata in St. Petersburg Mussorgsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre. After her successful performance, she was asked to conduct Rigoletto in that same season. This successful performance paved the way to her promotion to the Principal Guest Conductor in 2004. This was the first time an Asian conductor was ever promoted to the rank of conductor in Russia's national opera and ballet scene.
St. Petersburg Mussorgsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (English)
http://www.mikhailovsky.ru/en/