Madame Butterfly

Overview

NZ Opera opens its 2013 season with Madame Butterfly, one of the most popular of all operas. Featuring the famous “Humming Chorus” and “One Fine Day”, Puccini’s masterpiece is a tender love story of longing and betrayal set in the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the beginning of the 20th Century.

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, you know this is going to be one slick production.

If NZ Opera’s version of Rigoletto last year is anything to go by, then Madame Butterfly is an event you won’t want to miss.