Madama Butterfly

Info and tickets

Madama Butterfly

Opera new production

Madama Butterfly

Giacomo Puccini

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Dreaming of another life

‘Un bel dì, vedremo
’ In her moving aria, the Japanese Cio-Cio-San – or Butterfly, as she is affectionately called – longs for the beautiful day when she will see her American husband Pinkerton again. However, her loving devotion is not mutual. Pinkerton returns to Japan after several years, but has an American woman by his side. What’s more, Butterfly was rejected by her traditional family for her intercultural marriage. The honourable Butterfly sees her dream of another life turn into a nightmare that can only end tragically. At the end of the 19th century, a real hype arose around Japanese culture in the West. Giacomo Puccini was inspired by the land of the rising sun as it was perceived in Europe and even used Japanese sounds and instruments in his compelling and emotional musical drama. Argentinian director Mariano Pensotti dispenses with all folklore in Puccini’s masterpiece and reflects on the construction of one’s own identity through the eyes of others.

ca. 3h, including break

With Dutch and English surtitles.

Japanese tragedy in three acts 1904, sung in Italian. Based on a production by Opéra national du Rhin, Strasbourg (2021).

This opera, as well as the fictional frame story about Maiko Nakamura, deal with the theme of suicide. If you are thinking about suicide and need to talk, please contact the Suicide Line at 1813 or at www.zelfmoord1813.be.

With support from the Tax Shelter measure of the Belgian Federal Government.

The Young Ensemble is supported by the Friends of OBV.


The creators

  • Daniela Candillari

    Conductor

  • Mariano Pensotti

    Direction

  • Mariana Tirantte

    Scenography & costume design

  • Celine Byrne

    Cio-Cio-San

  • Ana Naqe

    Cio-Cio-San

  • Lotte Verstaen

    Suzuki

  • Ovidiu Purcel

    B.F. Pinkerton

  • Ɓukasz ZaƂęski

    B.F. Pinkerton




Photos


Reactions

  • "Successful contemporary performance, beautiful voices, sublime orchestra. The minimalist set, subtle lighting and costumes formed one convincing whole. The quality introduction beforehand, brings additional insight into the piece. Congratulations! 👏"

    via facebook

  • "The opera is powerful, aesthetically pleasing and movingly staged."

    Klara

  • "In a captivating staging, Mariano Pensotti strips the drama of all exoticism. With one small addition, he points out layers of meaning in the story that are rarely talked about. Suddenly, it becomes a searingly topical drama about historical (colonial) guilt, passion and abuse. Extreme simplicity and stunning complexity in one gesture."

    Pzazz.be

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