Madama Butterfly: What makes it such a powerful opera? (The Royal Opera)

Giacomo Puccini was entranced by David Belasco’s play Madame Butterfly (based on a popular short story by John Luther Long) when he saw it in London in 1900. He harnessed the talents of librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa (with whom Puccini had created La bohème and Tosca) to adapt Cio-Cio-San’s tragic tale for the operatic stage. Although the premiere at La Scala, Milan, in 1904 was poorly received, that same year Puccini revised and restaged the opera for performances in Brescia, to great acclaim. Madama Butterfly quickly became a hugely popular opera with performers and audiences alike, and remains one of Puccini’s most performed works.

Puccini drew on Japanese folk melodies for the score, one of his most evocative and atmospheric. In Act I, Cio-Cio-San expresses her radiant happiness in ‘Ancora un passo’, and the two lovers rapturously declare their love for each other in the passionate duet ‘Viene la sera’. In Act II the mood becomes increasingly strained, as in ‘Un bel dì vedremo’ when Cio-Cio-San longs for the ‘fine day’ when her husband will return to her. The romantic exoticism of 19th-century European images of Japan – an integral part of Madama Butterfly’s character – inspire Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s elegant production for The Royal Opera.

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

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[melfry]

It's so heartbreaking because you know Mr Pinkerton's intentions from the start. Knowing that and seeing Cio-Cio's sacrafices and loyalty... it just hurts so much... she gets no justice or reward.

[ginobramieri]

I saw this and cried almost from start to finish

[slimfast]

Madame Butterfly is a strong story about imperialism, on a broader scale. But on the personal scale it’s very much about a young woman, who is seduced, betrayed and gets her heart broken by a heartless coward

[buenvendor]

First time I saw a full opera was this one in 1991. Since then, I must have seen it more than 10 times with my favourite being the MET production in 2016 with Alagna as Pinkerton and Kristine (oh my God) Opolais. She is the best living Butterfly these days.

[joymonte]

For me Madama Butterfly is the most tragic opera not because she gave up her traditions and people for the sake of love.Not because she was betrayed.But because life put her in a position where she Had to say goodbye to her child.
There is not more powerful bond than the maternal love and the fact that she would never see her child again means she was already dead.
I can't hold my tears when i experience the finale of Butterfly!
So tragic but so true for the time.

[Mscoloraturakae]

If you don't cry during Butterfly, you have no soul.

[susanpurcell]

Madam Butterfly, was the most amazing thing I watched at 18, I cried 90 percent of it 😢

[crcanassr]

But why there is no discussion over the overt racism, sexism and imperialism permeating the opera? Yes I love the opera, but it seems to me that Puccini also sends us a message and wants us to think about the story and the causes of its tragedy.

[daughterofthesun]

Ermonela Jaho is so amazing diva!
Puccini's Great Work find an wonderful twin at
Pappano and Ermonela!!!

[dcossi]

They showed this in the cinema tonight . Also funny at the curtain call .Ermonela Jaho  kissed Sorrow on the cheek and he was not too pleased and he tried to wipe the lipstick or whatever off with his shoulder.  Great show .

[mazplod]

Watched this production in Malta. Awesome performance by Ermonella Jaho as Madame Butterfly. Disappointed at Marcello Puente's Pinkerton who seemed at times to have more of a baritone timbre than a tenor. All in all Ermonella Jaho made it worthwhile...well done to all concerned and Maestro Pappano in particular for this production.

[jamikatro]

I watched Madama Butterfly from Bielefeld in Germany. Thank you for this amazing performance😍

[cassandre]

bravo à Ermon, ela JAHO pour son interprétation d'une grande sensibilité

[TeachUBusiness]

This looks superb! So happy to this presented as intended. Ermonela is beautiful.

[winonadaphne]

at least in australia, we have actual asian performers playing butterfly

[LuizFelipe-lkhs]

Zhang Liping was amazing when she did her.

[charliebarber]

Does anybody know where I can buy a DVD of this particular production, or stream it? I can't seem to find it on the ROH website.

[domenicgattellaro]

Madama butterfly is the most beautiful love story

[isabelmosteiromartinez]

La vi. Enoooorme Ermonela Jaho. Hace suyo el papel de Butterfly. Una pasada