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. Classic Revival. Running time: approx 3 hrs.

Cast/Performers

Dina Kuznetsova (Cio-Cio San - some dates), Mary Plazas (Cio-Cio San - some dates), Timothy Richards (F.B. Pinkerton - some dates), Gwyn Hughes Jones (F.B. Pinkerton - some dates), George van Bergan (Sharpless), Pamela Helen Stephen (Suzuki), Alun Rhys-Jenkins (Goro), Mark Richardson (The Bonze), Alexander Robin Baker (Prince Yamadori), Catherine Young (Kate Pinkerton)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Producer(s): English National Opera, Metropolitan Opera New York, Lithuanian National Opera
Conductor(s): Gianluca Marciano, Martin Fitzpatrick
Director(s): Anthony Minghella (original direction), Sarah Tipple (revival direction)
Choreographer(s): Carolyn Choa, Anita Griffin (revival choreographer)
Design: Michael Levine
Costume: Han Feng
Lighting: Peter Mumford
Other: Blind Summit (puppetry)
Translation: David Parry