Description
When young geisha Cio-Cio-San marries American naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton in Nagasaki, Japan, she believes they are making a binding promise for life. Soon after, Pinkerton departs for the US. Years pass with no sign of his return, but still Cio-Cio-San waits, longing for the day his ship will sail into the harbour.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly remains a deeply moving – and troubling – story, fatally bound up with the destructive forces of imperialism. The composer drew on Japanese folk melodies for this breathtaking score, one of his most evocative and atmospheric. Royal Ballet and Opera’s production is directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier and features a stellar cast, including Ermonela Jaho in the role of Cio-Cio-San, Marcelo Puente as Pinkerton, Elizabeth DeShon as Suzuki and Scott Hendricks as Sharpless. The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House is conducted by Antonio Pappano.
Full performance streamed on OperaVision from 31 July 2026 at 19:00 CET to 31 January 2027 at 12:00 CET: https://operavision.eu/performance/madama-butterfly-2
CAST
B.F. Pinkerton
Marcelo Puente
Goro
Carlo Bosi
Suzuki
Elizabeth Deshong
Sharpless
Scott Hendricks
Cio-Cio-San
Ermonela Jaho
The Imperial Commissioner
Gyula Nagy
The Official Registrar
Jonathan Coad
Cio-Cio-San's Mother
Eryl Royle
Uncle Yakusidé
Andrew O'Connor
Cousin
Amy Catt
Aunt
Kiera Lyness
The Bonze
Jeremy White
Prince Yamadori
Yuriy Yurchuk
Dolore
Paul Benkert
Kate Pinkerton
Emily Edmonds
Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Chorus
Royal Opera Chorus
Music
Giacomo Puccini
Text
Luigi Illica
Giuseppe Giacosa
Directors
Moshe Leiser
Patrice Caurier
Conductor
Antonio Pappano
Sets
Christian Fenouillat
Costume designer
Agostino Cavalca
Lights
Christophe Forey
Chorus master
William Spaulding
Watch live streams as the performances themselves unfold in the opera house. Enjoy a variety of shows - including opera, operetta, musical theatre, dance, ballet and concerts. Opera connaisseur or curious newcomer, there is something for everyone on OperaVision.
Managed by Opera Europa, OperaVision is a freeview streaming platform supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe funding programme. Between 2025 and 2028, Creative Europe’s support will help Opera Europa to promote and train emerging artists working in opera and dance. Known as Opera Europa Next Generation, this initiative will give visibility and development opportunities to over 560 emerging artists – in person and online, including via OperaVision – and all thanks to the efforts of a consortium of 44 opera houses and talent development organisations from 17 European countries.
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