Madama Butterfly - Opera - Season 19/20 Programming

Photo © Elena Bauer / OnP

Madama Butterfly

Opéra Bastille - from 14 September to 13 November 2019

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Madama Butterfly

Opera Giacomo Puccini

Book Subscribe Option booking This production is no longer available for subscription

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Opéra Bastille - from 14 September to 13 November 2019

2h45 with 1 interval

Surtitle : French / English

About

In few words:

For his Madame Chrysanthème, Pierre Loti drew on memories of his own visit to Japan in 1885. When composing Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini was inspired by the popular melodies and sonorities of Japanese voices. However, in the literary work, as in the opera, the heroine remains the same: Kiku-san or Cio‑Cio‑san, a young geisha betrayed by her western husband, the symbol of the meeting of two different worlds. Robert Wilson’s ethereal production espouses to perfection the dramatic intensity and underlying violence of this thoroughly Japanese tragedy.

FIRST PART

The American, Pinkerton, is on temporary assignment in Japan. To enjoy his time there until his departure, he plans to marry Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha with whom he is infatuated. Goro, the marriage broker, has arranged everything. While the latter is introducing Pinkerton to his future servants, the first wedding guest to arrive is the American Consul. Assuring Pinkerton that Cio-Cio-San takes their relationship very seriously, the Consul cautions him not to destroy the young girl’s life for the sake of a passing fancy. The bride arrives, accompanied by five companions. Soon there-after the relatives and friends arrive. Two public officials declare Cio-Cio-San and Pinkerton married. The celebrations are interrupted by Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a Bonze. Having learned that his niece has converted to Christianity, he bans her from her family and society. The other guests follow his example. Left alone, Pinkerton and Cio-Cio-San avow their love for each other and retire to the wedding chamber.

SECOND PART

A few years have passed. Pinkerton has long returned to the United States. Cio-Cio-San has given birth to a son. Alone with him and her faithful servant Suzuki, she awaits the return of her husband. The Consul comes to pay her a visit. Pinkerton has written to him: he will be returning to Japan soon, accompanied by his American wife, and he has asked him to prepare Cio-Cio-San for his return. However, the latter’s endless interruptions prevent him from giving her the news. Yamadori, a rich prince, has asked for her hand in marriage. She refuses, considering herself legally married to Pinkerton. The Consul tries once more to read her the letter. Cio-Cio‑San grasps just one thing: her husband is returning to Japan. The Consul finally loses patience: what if Pinkerton were never to return? The words pierce Cio-Cio-San like a mortal blade. At nightfall, the sound of a cannon announces the arrival of Pinkerton’s ship. Wild with joy, Cio-Cio-San decorates the house with flowers and waits for him to come all night. The next morning, Pinkerton arrives at the home of Cio-Cio-San, accompanied by his American wife. He asks for his son, but avoids any encounter with Cio-Cio-San. Left alone, the two wives find themselves face to face. Finally understanding the reality of the situation, Cio-Cio-San commits suicide.

Opening
First part 50 mn
Intermission 30 mn
Second part 85 mn
End

Madama Butterfly

Opera in three acts

After David Belasco Based on a short novel by John Luther Long

Music :

Giacomo Puccini

Libretto :

Luigi Illica

Giuseppe Giacosa

Conductor :

Giacomo Sagripanti

Director :

Robert Wilson

Set design :

Robert Wilson

Lighting design :

Heinrich Brunke

Robert Wilson

Costume design :

Frida Parmeggiani

Choreography :

Suzushi Hanayagi

Dramaturgy :

Holm Keller

Chorus master :

Alessandro Di Stefano
Orchestre et Choeurs de l’Opéra national de Paris
Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly) :

Ana María Martínez

(14, 19 Sept., 9, 19, 30 Oct., 2, 5, 8, 13 Nov.)

Dinara Alieva

(12, 26, 29 Oct., 1, 6, 9 Nov.)

Suzuki :

Marie-Nicole Lemieux

(14, 19 Sept., 30 oct., 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13 Nov)

Eve-Maud Hubeaux

(9, 12, 19, 26, 29 Oct.,1 Nov.)

B.F. Pinkerton :

Giorgio Berrugi

(14, 19 Sept., 9, 19 Oct., 2, 5, 8, 13 Nov.)

Dmytro Popov

(12, 26, 29, 30 Oct., 1, 6, 9 Nov.)

Sharpless :

Laurent Naouri

Goro :

Rodolphe Briand

Il Principe Yamadori (Le Prince Yamadori) :

Tomasz Kumiega

Kate Pinkerton :

Jeanne Ireland

Lo Zio bonzo (Le Bonze) :

Robert Pomakov

Yakuside :

Jian-Hong Zhao

Il Commissario Imperiale :

Chae Wook Lim

L'Ufficiale del registro :

Hyoung-Min Oh

La madre di Cio-Cio San :

Laura Agnoloni

La Zia :

Carole Colineau

La Cugina :

Sylvie Delaunay

Performances

Available in audiodescription

Advantages

Full

Available in audiodescription

Advantages

Full

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Gallery

1/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Rodolphe Briand (Goro) et Laurent Naouri (Sharpless)

2/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

3/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

4/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

5/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

6/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

7/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

8/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

9/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

10/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

11/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

12/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

13/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

14/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

15/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

16/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

17/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

18/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Rodolphe Briand (Goro), Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

19/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Laurent Naouri (Sharpless) et Robert Pomakov (Lo Zio Bonzo)

20/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

21/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

22/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

23/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San)

24/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San)

25/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Laurent Naouri (Sharpless) et Tomasz Kumiega (Il Principe Yamadori)

26/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Laurent Naouri (Sharpless)

27/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San) et Laurent Naouri (Sharpless)

28/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Laurent Naouri (Sharpless)

29/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San)

30/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Jeanne Ireland (Kate Pinkerton)

31/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton) et Jeanne Ireland (Kate Pinkerton)

32/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio San)

33/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

34/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Laurent Naouri (Sharpless), Giorgio Berrugi (B.F. Pinkerton) et Rodolphe Briand (Goro)

35/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Laurent Naouri (Sharpless) et Giorgio Berrugi (B. F. Pinkerton)

36/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

37/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Rodolphe Briand (Goro), Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio-San), Laurent Naouri (Sharpless) et Giorgio Berrugi (B.F. Pinkerton)

38/38 :

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)

1/5:

Madama Butterfly by G. Puccini - "Un bel dì, vedremo" (Ana María Martínez)

2/5:

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (Ana María Martínez)

3/5:

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (Ana María Martínez & Giorgio Berrugi)

4/5:

Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (Ana María Martínez & Laurent Naouri)

5/5:

Madama Butterfly by G. Puccini - Trailer

Audio clips

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)- Acte II

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)- Acte III (Ana María Martínez)

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20) - Acte II (Ana María Martínez, Laurent Naouri)

Madame Butterfly (saison 19/20)- Acte II (Ana María Martínez)

Media coverage

La production de Madame Butterfly du metteur en scène Bob Wilson n’a pas pris la moindre ride, offrant un écrin d’esthète à l’œuvre de Giacomo Puccini
Olyrix - Violette Renié
Madame Butterfly à l’Opéra Bastille : Ana María Martínez impressionne
classicagenda - Irène Mejia Buttin
D’un merveilleux raffinement et d’une précision cristalline, l’orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris laisse s’épanouir aussi bien les sonorités les plus ténues que les emphases puissantes.
classicagenda - Irène Mejia Buttin

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About the work

The lighting for Madama Butterfly

By Rui De Matos Machado
Draw-me Madama Butterfly

By Octave
Podcast Madame Butterfly

By France Musique

Beyond the experience