Details

An American naval officer (Pinkerton) 'acquires' a 15 year old Geisha wife during a stay in Japan - but has no intention of staying with her. After a while he returns to the USA and marries his fiancee. Meanwhile, Butterfly waits for him for three years, cut off from her family, religion and culture by being an American wife. And she is now a mother. When he finally returns she is overjoyed, but he brings with him his new wife. Story originally published in a magazine. Sung in Italian with surtitles in English and Welsh

Cast/Performers

Leonardo Caimi (Pinkerton Se 24 / 26 Oct 14 / 15 / 19 / 20 / 26 / 28 Nov 2 / 4 / 9 / 11 and Spring 2022), Peter Auty (Pinkerton - Sep 28 / Oct 1 / 2 / 27 Nov 3 / 10 / 30 Dec 1), Tom Randle (Goro), Anna Harvey (Suzuki - Sep 24 / 26 / 28 Nov 30 Dec 1), Kezia Bienek (Suzuki Oct 1 / 2 / 14 / 15 / 26 / 27 / 28 Nov 9 / 10 / 11 and Spring 2022), Mark Stone (Sharpless - Autumn 2021), Gareth Brynmor John (Sharpless - Spring 2022), Joyce El-Khoury (Cio-Cio-San - Sep 24 / 28 / Oct 2 / 14 / 19 / 26 / 28 Nov 2 / 4 / 9), Alexia Voulgaridou (Cio-Cio-San - Sep 26 Oct 1 / 15 / 20 / 27 Nov 3 / 10 and Spring 2022), Meeta Raval (Cio-Cio-San - Nov 11 / 30 Dec 1), Keel Watson (The Bonze), Neil Balfour (Prince Yamadori), Meriel Andrew (Cousin), Monkia Sawa (Mother), Carolyn Jackson (Aunt), George Newton-Fitzgerald (Uncle Yakuside), Julian Boyce (Imperial Commissioner), Jack O'Kelly (Official Registrar), Sian Meinir (Kate Pinkerton), Emma Jackson (Bodyguard), Jenni Duffy (Bodyguard)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Company: Welsh National Opera
Conductor(s): Carlo Rizzi, James Southall (Plymouth / Llandudno)
Director(s): Lindy Hume, Denni Sayers (movement director)
Design(s): Isabella Bywater, Ash J Woodward (video)
Lighting: Elanor Higgins)