Opera Project

Puccini’s hauntingly beautiful Madame Butterfly captures the imagination and enters the soul like no other opera.

Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha girl, has fallen for Pinkerton, a suave America naval officer. Giving up all she has, she marries him, only for Pinkerton to then abandon her. Left alone for three years bringing up their son, she patiently waits. But when her husband finally returns, her hopes for their future together are cruelly dashed.

One of the most popular and best-loved operas in the repertoire. In Madame Butterfly Puccini took a seemingly simple story and, with his unique lyricism, expressive richness and taut sense of drama, created an undisputed masterpiece that punches an emotional impact of extraordinary power rarely experienced in the theatre.

Sung here in English, with a new orchestration for 13 players and with the brilliant young British soprano Katie Bird in the title role, Tobacco Factory Theatres is delighted to be co-producing the first Madame Butterfly in the Factory Theatre with one of the UK’s leading touring opera companies. Opera Project’s productions here over the last 12 years have kept getting better – this Butterfly won’t disappoint.

Immerse yourself in Puccini’s glorious music, up close and personal, from our new comfortable, reserved seating. Don’t forget your tissues…

Running time approx. 2 hours 25 minutes