Madama Butterfly
Story & Setting:
Set in Nagasaki at the turn of the century, Butterfly follows the devotion and ultimate demise of the title geisha as she clings to her marriage to an American naval officer. The story is a beautifully tragic commentary on cultural norms and Western imperialism. Anthony Minghella’s visually stunning production enhances this opera staple through bright colors and puppetry.
Opera Notes:
Puccini’s music features lush and colorful harmonies, interspersed with snippets of American themes, but the heroine remains the single driving force of the opera. Her heartbreaking aria, “Un bel dì” makes up just a small part of the role’s vocal tour de force. The Italian libretto is based off of John Luther Long’s short story and the David Belasco play of the same name.
Sung in
Italian
Length:
3 hours & 20 minutes
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Watch/Listen
“Un bel dì” - Hui He
Met Opera (current production)
Humming Chorus
Opera Australia (Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour)