Russian State Ballet and Opera House

Music by Giacomo Puccini.
Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.

No opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.

Set in Japan at the turn of the century, Madama Butterfly is among the most colourful and exotic of all operas, and from its theme of noble self-sacrifice spring melodies that grip your heart.

It is the story of a doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy.

Sad and tragic it most certainly is, yet the compelling tale of Madama Butterfly remained Puccini’s favourite opera – his supreme theatrical achievements also gave the world its most sublime and beautiful arias in history – One Fine Day and Love Duet, as well as the Humming Chorus which has been popular with opera-goers for over a century.

This exquisite production, with its beautiful set and costumes, intensifies the emotion in an a heart-breaking story.

This touching tale of innocent love crushed between two utterly different cultures resonates as strongly as ever in today’s world.