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. New Production. Running time 2 hours 50 minutes. Dec 16th Royal Gala Performance - all proceeds from this performance go to support The Prince's Trust's work with young people in London and ENO's Young Singers Programme, Debut.

Cast/Performers

Mary Plazas (Madam Butterfly), Gwyn Hughes Jones (Lieutenant Pinkerton), Jean Rigby (Suzuki), Christopher Purves (Sharpless), Alan Oke (Goro), Julian Tovey (Bonze), Mark Stone (Yamadori), Victoria Simmonds (Kate Pinkerton)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Corporate Sponsor(s): Sky, Artsworld
Producer(s): English National Opera, Lithuanian National Opera
Director: Anthony Minghella
Choreographer: Carolyn Choa
Design: Michael Levine
Costume: Han Feng
Lighting: Peter Mumford
Translation(s): David Parry, Anthony Minghella
Conductor: David Parry