Madam Butterfly

Madam Butterfly
14 October – 1 December 2013
14 performances
Running time: 2hrs 50mins
Classic revival

Giacomo Puccini
Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Puccini’s tragic love story tells of Butterfly, a young Japanese girl who falls in love with American naval officer Pinkerton. Shortly after their wedding, Pinkerton returns to America: Butterfly gives birth to a son and patiently awaits her husband’s return, never giving up hope.

Hailed by The Sunday Telegraph as ‘the most beautiful show of the year in operatic London’, Anthony Minghella’s award-winning Madam Butterfly returns to ENO. With its breathtaking mix of cinematic images and traditional Japanese theatre, riot of colourful costumes, stunning sets and unforgettable use of puppetry, Minghella’s sole opera production has developed into one of the most iconic stagings of the 21st century.

This revival sees internationally renowned sopranos Dina Kuzenetsova and Mary Plazas (Minghella’s original Butterfly) sharing the title role, alongside Welsh tenors Timothy Richards and Gwyn Hughes Jones as Pinkerton, Pamela Helen Stephen as Suzuki, and ENO Harewood Artist George von Bergen as Sharpless.

‘The simplest and the most sumptuous thing we’ve ever seen in this theatre’ The Independent

Pre-performance talk: Wed 16 Oct, 5.15pm-6pm, £5/£2.50 concs

Co-produced by ENO with the Metropolitan Opera, New York and Lithuanian National Opera

Conductors Gianluca Marciano/ Martin Fitzpatrick
Original Director Anthony Minghella
Original Associate Director & Choreographer Carolyn Choa
Revival Director Sarah Tipple
Set Designer Michael Levine
Costume Designer Han Feng
Original Lighting Designer Peter Mumford
Revival Choreographer Anita Griffin
Puppetry Blind Summit
Translator David Parry

Cast Includes
Butterfly Dina Kuzenetsova/Mary Plazas
F.B. Pinkerton Timothy Richards/Gwyn Hughes Jones
Sharpless George von Bergen
Suzuki Pamela Helen Stephen
Goro Alun Rhys-Jenkins
The Bonze Mark Richardson
Prince Yamadori Alexander Robin Baker
Kate Pinkerton Catherine Young

Original production supported by Lord and Lady Laidlaw