When Love is Lost, What Remains?
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heartrending story of Cio-Cio-San, a woman who dreams of a life filled with hope, and Pinkerton, a man who sees only a fleeting butterfly – something to capture, possess, and discard. His selfish pursuit sets in motion a tragedy of sweeping emotional depth.
The opera’s score is nothing short of transcendent: from the soaring heights of Cio-Cio-San’s iconic “Un bel di” to the delicate serenity of the “Humming Chorus,” Puccini’s music captures longing, heartbreak, and fleeting moments of beauty.
Moffatt Oxenbould’s award-winning production is a visual masterpiece. Tiny candles shimmer across floating flowers in a real onstage moat, while sliding paper panels reveal and conceal the hidden truths of the characters. Sumptuous, vibrant costumes, inspired by traditional Japanese dress, create a serene yet emotionally charged backdrop for the unfolding drama.
Extraordinary singers breathe life into every note of Puccini’s passionate score, guided by the expert hands of conductors Andrea Battistoni and Erina Yashima.
This Madama Butterfly is more than an opera – it’s an unforgettable, must-see experience, a performance that will linger in the heart long after the final curtain.
Presented by Opera Australia.