
Audio Description & Touch Tours
Designed for those living with sight loss, our audio-described performances feature a live commentary describing what’s happening on stage without compromising the music. Touch Tours also available.
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Dai Fujikura & Harry Ross
The Great WaveA tale of Katsushika Hokusai and his famous woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
12 & 14 February 2026, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
19 & 21 February 2026, 7.15pm
Join us for the world premiere of Dai Fujikura and Harry Ross's The Great Wave: an extravagant story about artist Katsushika Hokusai and his famous woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
This groundbreaking opera directed by Satoshi Miyagi explores Hokusai’s creative triumphs and struggles, and his bond with his daughter Ōi. This relationship redefined Japanese painting and printmaking – and changed the global art world and popular iconography forever.
Japanese composer Dai Fujikura and Scottish librettist Harry Ross create a mesmerising musical drama that showcases the series of events that ignites The Great Wave off Kanagawa phenomena, influencing pop art culture today.
This large-scale, dynamic, international collaboration between Scottish Opera and KAJIMOTO builds on centuries of cultural exchange between Scotland and Japan. Baritone Daisuke Ohyama brings Katsushika Hokusai to life, along with Julieth Lozano Rolong as Ōi. Stuart Stratford conducts The Orchestra of Scottish Opera – with the unique addition of the rich historic sounds of a Japanese shakuhachi-flute. The Chorus of The Great Wave vividly represents the collaborative nature of Edo-era printmaking.
Support: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan / Japan Arts Council
New co-production with KAJIMOTO
Supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle, The Great Wave Syndicate, Bernard & Jane Nelson, and The Japan Society of Scotland
Part of Scottish Opera's 2025/26 Season
Order a paper copy of our Season Brochure here >>
Running time:
Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes including a 20-minute interval
Language:
Sung in English with English supertitles
Ticket price:
From £23 to £65.75 – prices vary by venue
Concessions:
£15 tickets for Under 26s >>
Concessions vary by venue
Designed for those living with sight loss, our audio-described performances feature a live commentary describing what’s happening on stage without compromising the music. Touch Tours also available.
Find out more about box office opening hours, travel information and access within the building in all venues.
Katsushika Hokusai
Daisuke Ohyama
Katsushika Ōi
Julieth Lozano Rolong
Mr Tozaki / Nishimura Yohachi
Shengzhi Ren
Eirakuya Tōshirō / Takai Kōzan
Edward Hawkins
Koto
Chloe Harris
Hokusai’s Grandson
Luvo Maranti
Dr Philipp Franz von Siebold
Collin Shay
Conductor
Stuart Stratford
Director
Satoshi Miyagi
Set Designer
Junpei Kiz
Costume Designer
Kayo Takahashi Deschene
Lighting Designer
Yuka Hisamatsu
Props Designer
Eri Fukasawa
Choreographer
Akiko Kitamura
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera
The Chorus of The Great Wave
Mention opera and most people think of singing and music – but this is only part of the overall experience. What about scenery, costumes, lighting, direction and choreography?
For those living with sight loss, our audio description service provides a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is available in advance and there is a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
In addition, you can also book onto a free touch tour – an opportunity to go backstage and become more familiar with the set, scenery, props and costumes.
Please book in advance for audio-described performances and touch tours by calling the venue box offices:
Theatre Royal Glasgow:
14 February 2026, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now
Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
21 February 2026, 7.15pm - touch tour at 6pm
Book now