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. Revival. Running time approx 3 hours.

Cast/Performers

Mulia Melinek (Madam Butterfly), Bonaventura Bottone (Lieutenant Pinkerton until May 27), John Hudson (Lieutenant Pinkerton from May 31), Alan Opie (Sharpless unti Jun 8), Nicholas Folwell (Sharpless from Jun 10), Christine Rice (Suzuki), Richard Roberts (Goro), Mark Richardson (Bonze), Leslie John Flanagan (Yamadori), Victoria Simmonds (Kate Pinkerton), Barry Martin (High Commissioner)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Company: English National Opera
Conductor: Noel Davies
Director(s): Graham Vick (original director), Ian Rutherford (revival director)
Design: Stefanos Lazaridis
Lighting(s): Matthew Richardson, Jenny Cane (revival lighting designer)
Translation: R H Elkin