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. Approx. running time 2 hours 45 minutes. Supported (2003) by The Dalriada Trust.

Cast/Performers

Liping Zhang (Cio-Cio San), Andrew Richards (Pinkerton), Alan Opie (Sharpless), Martyn Hill (Goro), Elena Cassian (Suzuki), Jeremy White (Bonze), Liora Grodnikaite (Kate Pinkerton), Quentin Hayes (Yamadori), Jacques Imbrailo (Imperial Commissioner)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Producer: Royal Opera
Conductor(s): Nicola Luisotti (Feb07 14 / 17m / 19 / 22 / 24 / 28 / Mar07 2), Paul Wynne Griffiths (Mar07 8 / 10)
Director(s): Moshe Leiser, Patrice Caurier
Design: Christian Fenouillat
Costume: Agostino Cavalca
Lighting: Christophe Forey