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 (and Welsh in Wales). Running time approx. 2 hours 50 mins.

Cast/Performers

Amanda Roocroft (Cio-Cio-San), Russell Thomas (Pinkerton), Neal Davies (Sharpless), Claire Bradshaw (Suzuki)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Company: Welsh National Opera
Conductor(s): Carlo Rizzo, Simon Phillippo (Venue Cymru)
Director: Joachim Herz
Design: Reinhart Zimmermann
Costume: Eleonore Kleiber
Lighting: John Waterhouse