Kazushi Ono conducts world premiere of Natasha
- atodes
- Aug 29
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Kazushi Ono conducted the world premiere of Toshio Hosokawa's new opera Natasha at New National Theatre, Tokyo, to great audience and critical acclaim, in a staging by Christian Räth. The work is the third in Ono's initiative to commission Japanese composers to write world-class operas, and the second Hosokawa opera that he has premiered – the first was Hanjo, in 2004. It reflects on cultural issues such as migration, environmental disasters and societal disconnection.
Music Press Asia wrote: ‘As the third new commission under Artistic Director Kazushi Ono, this production not only continues NNTT’s recent dedication to cultivating Japanese contemporary composers but also stakes a resonant claim in the global cultural conversation... Under the direction of Christian Räth, the staging is as refined as it is haunting... Visually and emotionally, the aesthetic evokes a cautionary fairy tale for our global moment, rich in symbolism yet grounded in human suffering... For readers who believe in opera’s power to reflect our collective longings and fears, Natasha offers a profound, unforgettable passage into both darkness and light.’
Nate News wrote: ‘The experiential reality created by human greed was expressed in music. Kazushi Ono, together with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, skillfully led this ever-changing work, which intersects various languages and musical forms, with a profound interpretation.’
