Madama Butterfly
By Giacomo Puccini
May 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 2008
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Based on the play of the same name by David Belasco,
which was based on a story by John Luther Long.
One of the most popular operas of all time - Madama Butterfly is based on an incident as reported in the Nagasaki newspaper shortly before World War I. Butterfly, a fifteen-year-old geisha, forsakes all for Pinkerton, an American Naval Officer. Pinkerton's ship leaves Japan for a three year tour, but when he returns to collect their son, he brings his American wife. Butterfly does the honorable thing and takes her own life.
Mihoko Kinoshita as Madama Butterfly - courtesy Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation
Puccini considered Madama Butterfly one of his most beloved compositions, along with La Bohème. His love and devotion to the character Butterfly is evident in the magnificent music he created for her, including the ravishing "Un bel dì" and the joyous "Flower Duet."
Shu-Ying Li has performed the title role in Madama Butterfly with Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Florida Grand Opera and New York City Opera at Lincoln Center and on tour in Japan. José Luis Duval returns to the Lyric stage (Madama Butterfly/2003 and Carmen/2004) following performances with the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Palm Beach Opera. Misoon Ghim made her American stage début with the Opera Company of Philadelphia in 1996 as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly which led to engagements as Suzuki with Central City Opera, Virginia Opera and Madison Opera, and New York City Opera in Mark Lamos's acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly. Accomplished American baritone John Packard, who is renowned for his compelling portrayal of Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking, is Sharpless. He has performed Sharpless with New York City Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, with Dallas Opera and as his Italian debut with Venice's prestigious La Fenice. Noted Australian conductor Stephen Mould makes his BOC debut. Maestro Mould has led the orchestras of Opera Australia, Theatre de Monnaie in Brussels and the Macau International Music Festival.
Running time for Madama Butterfly: approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
Sample Audio
"Un bel di" |
"Addio, fiorito
asil" |
Cio-Cio-San – Renata Scotto; Pinkerton – Carlo Bergonzi; Sharpless – Rolando Panerai; Suzuki – Anna di Stasio. Orchestra and Chorus of the Rome Opera. Conductor – John Barbirolli. Recording – EMI 5 67888 2, courtesy of EMI Classics |
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| CAST | |
| Cio-Cio-San | Shu-Ying Li |
| Suzuki | Misoon Ghim |
| Lt. Pinkerton | José Luis Duval |
| Sharpless | John Packard |
| Goro | Joseph Hu |
| Kate | Sara Stewart |
| Conductor | Stephen Mould |
| Director | Paolo Micciché |
 Shu-Ying Li |
 Misoon Ghim |
 José Luis Duval |
 John Packard |
 Stephen Mould |
 Mihoko Kinoshita (5/17) |