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.

Cast/Performers

Kristine Opolais (Cio-Cio-San - Jun 25 / 29 Jul 2 / 4), Liping Zhang (mat) / 12 / 15), Amarilli Nizza Cio-Cio-San - Jul 16), James Valenti (B.F. Pinkerton), Rachael Lloyd (Kate Pinkerton), Anthony Michaels-Moore (Sharpless), Helene Schneiderman (Suzuki), Robin Leggate (Goro), Jeremy White (Bonze), ZhengZhong Zhou (Prince Yamadori), Daniel Grice (Imperial Commissioner)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Producer: Royal Opera House
Conductor(s): Andris Nelsons, Paul Wynne Griffiths (Jul 16)
Director(s): Moshe Leiser, Patrice Caurier
Design: David Roger
Musical Director: Oliver Gooch
Lighting: Andrew Bridge
Sound: Bobby Aitken
Translation: Amanda Holden