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 English surtitles. Running time 2 hours 50 minutes. Sponsored by Coutts.

Cast/Performers

Paul Charles Clarke (Pinkerton), Peter Hoare (Goro), Anna Burford (Suzuki), Christopher Purves (Sharpless), Niccia Focile (Cio-Cio-San), Timothy Mirfin (Imperial Commissioner), Iain Patterson (Bonze)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Company: Welsh National Opera
Conductor(s): Carlo Rizzi (to Mar 13), Julian Smith (from Mar 16)
Producer: Joachim Herz
Design: Reinhart Zimmermann
Costume: Eleonore Kleiber
Lighting: John Waterhouse