Work of the Week – Toshio Hosokawa: Natasha

By Christopher Peter
10 Aug 2025

Composer Toshio Hosokawa, with dark side-parted hair, a light shirt, and a dark blazer, stands with arms crossed, looking into the camera. Behind him, hooded figures walk through a sea of dark garbage bags

On August 11, 2025, the New National Theatre Tokyo will host the world premiere of a remarkable new opera: Natasha by Toshio Hosokawa. Under the musical direction of Kazushi Ono and staged by Christian Räth, this opera confronts some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Between Dystopia and Hope: Toshio Hosokawa's Opera Natasha is a journey through today’s hell

Two people from very different worlds – Natasha and Arato – meet. They speak different languages, come from different backgrounds, but share a longing for meaning and humanity. Guided by a mysterious figure calling himself the grandson of Mephistopheles, they travel through a world tormented by suffering. Climate change, war, and the exploitation caused by economic acceleration have turned the Earth into a modern hell – reminiscent of Dante's Divine Comedy and Goethe's Faust.

A new love beyond language

On their journey through this dark mirror of reality, Natasha and Arato fall in love – beyond gender, beyond language. A fragile hope emerges: the vision of a more humane and peaceful future. Hosokawa’s music gives voice to this vision, through soundscapes that are rich in color, fragility, and depth.

About the composer

Toshio Hosokawa is one of the most important voices in contemporary music. His works merge Eastern and Western traditions into a poetic sonic universe. Natasha continues his exploration of central themes – nature, spirituality, and the human condition – in a powerful operatic form.

Your opinion counts

What resonates most with you in Toshio Hosokawa’s opera Natasha – the story, the music, or its reflection of our world today? We’d love to hear your thoughts – share them with us on Instagram or Facebook.