Madama Butterfly (The Royal Opera) ROH Live

26 MARCH 2024

7.15pm – 10.30pm

Live Broadcast: Part of our 2023/24 Live Arts Series, streamed simultaneously from the Royal Opera House to our cinema screen and in full surround sound.

When the young geisha, Cio-Cio-San, marries American Naval Officer Pinkerton, she believes she is entering a real, binding marriage for life. Forsaking her religion and community, she learns all too late that for Pinkerton, their marriage is merely an illusion – with tragic consequences.

With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ (‘One fine day’) and the Humming Chorus, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking. Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s exquisite production takes inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan.

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House – conducted by Kevin John Edusei

Music: Giacomo Puccini

Directors: Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier

Cast: Cio-Cio-San (Asmik Grigorian), Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton (Joshua Guerrero), Sharpless (Lauri Vasar), Suzuki (Hongni Wu), Goro (Ya-Chung Huang), The Bonze (Jeremy White), Prince Yamadori (Josef Jeongmeen Ahn), Kate Pinkerton (Veena Akama-Makia), Imperial Commissioner (Romanas Kudriašovas)

Language: Sung in Italian with English subtitles