Overview
Critics have been applauding New Zealand Opera's first performance of the 2013 season, Madame Butterfly.
Fifteen-year-old Cio-Cio San is swept off her feet by the handsome American naval officer, Lieutenant Pinkerton. He takes the young geisha, known as Butterfly, as his wife then promptly leaves for his homeland. In his absence, Butterfly bears Pinkerton's child and waits faithfully for his return. Despite the doubts of those closest to her, Cio-Cio never gives up hope. Years later Pinkerton does return, but not alone.
Madame Butterfly stars Australian soprano Antoinette Halloran (Mimi in La Bohème, 2008) in the title role with Italian tenor Piero Pretti as Pinkerton, and English baritone Peter Savidge as the American Consul Sharpless. Created by award-winning Australian director Kate Cherry and featuring renowned Swedish conductor Tobias Ringborg.
Why not get some culture in you this week, and try your hand at Madame Butterfly.
Concrete Playground has one double pass to giveaway to one lucky Concrete Playground reader to Madame Butterfly's matinee performance (2:30pm) on Sunday, April 28 2013, the final Auckland show. Simply enter in your details below to go in the draw.