Madama Butterfly
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
First part
The American, Pinkerton, is on temporary assignment in Japan. To enjoy his time there until his departure, he plans to marry Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha with whom he is infatuated. Goro, the marriage broker, has arranged everything. While the latter is introducing Pinkerton to his future servants, the first wedding guest to arrive is the American Consul.
Assuring Pinkerton that Cio-Cio-San takes their relationship very seriously, the Consul cautions him not to destroy the young girl’s life for the sake of a passing fancy. The bride arrives, accompanied by five companions. Soon there-after the relatives and friends arrive. Two public officials declare Cio-Cio-San and Pinkerton married. The celebrations are interrupted by Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a Bonze.
Having learned that his niece has converted to Christianity, he bans her from her family and society. The other guests follow his example. Left alone, Pinkerton and Cio-Cio-San avow their love for each other and retire to the wedding chamber.
Second part
A few years have passed. Pinkerton has long returned to the United States. Cio-Cio-San has given birth to a son. Alone with him and her faithful servant Suzuki, she awaits the return of her husband. The Consul comes to pay her a visit. Pinkerton has written to him: he will be returning to Japan soon, accompanied by his American wife, and he has asked him to prepare Cio-Cio-San for his return. However, the latter’s endless interruptions prevent him from giving her the news. Yamadori, a rich prince, has asked for her hand in marriage.
She refuses, considering herself legally married to Pinkerton. The Consul tries once more to read her the letter. Cio-Cio‑San grasps just one thing: her husband is returning to Japan. The Consul finally loses patience: what if Pinkerton were never to return? The words pierce Cio-Cio-San like a mortal blade. At nightfall, the sound of a cannon announces the arrival of Pinkerton’s ship. Wild with joy, Cio-Cio-San decorates the house with flowers and waits for him to come all night. The next morning,
Pinkerton arrives at the home of Cio-Cio-San, accompanied by his American wife. He asks for his son, but avoids any encounter with Cio-Cio-San. Left alone, the two wives find themselves face to face. Finally understanding the reality of the situation, Cio-Cio-San commits suicide.
CHARACTERS
Cio‑Cio‑San: Known as “Madama Butterfly”, a fifteen-year-old Japanese girl
Suzuki: Her servant
F. B. Pinkerton: A lieutenant in the U.S. Navy
Sharpless: American Consul in Nagasaki
Lo Zio Bonzo: Cio‑Cio‑San’s uncle
Il Principe Yamadori: A rich Japanese prince
Kate Pinkerton: Pinkerton’s legal American wife
Goro: The marriage broker
Program and cast
Japanese tragedy in three acts (1904)
After David Belasco, based on a short novel by John Luther Long
Creative team
Giacomo Puccini - Music
Giuseppe Giacosa - Libretto
Luigi Illica - Libretto
Speranza Scappucci - Conductor
Alessandro Di Stefano - Chorus master
Robert Wilson - Stage, set and lighting design
Frida Parmeggiani - Costume design
Heinrich Brunke - Lighting design in collaboration
Suzushi Hanayagi - Choreography
Holm Keller - Dramaturgy
Cast
Eleonora Buratto - Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)from 14 Sept. to 6 Oct.
Elena Stikhina - Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)from 10 to 25 Oct.
Aude Extrémo - Suzuki
Stefan Pop - B.F. Pinkerton
Christopher Maltman - Sharpless
Carlo Bosi - Goro
Andres Cascante - Il Principe Yamadori
Vartan Gabrielian - Lo Zio bonzo
Marine Chagnon - Kate Pinkerton
Youngwoo Kim - Yakuside
Bernard Arrieta - Il Commissario Imperiale
Hyunsik Zee - L'Ufficiale del registro
Marianne Chandelier - La Madre di Cio-Cio-San
Liliana Faraon - La Zia
Stéphanie Loris - La Cugina
The Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Language : Italian
Surtitle : French / English
Duration :
Opening
First part - 50 min
Intermission - 30 min
Second part - 85 min
End
Paris Opera Bastille
RM Europa Ticket GmbH is an officially accredited ticket reseller of/by Opera National de Paris.
Agency number: 4848428
Opéra Bastille
A great modern theatre
The Opéra Bastille is the work of the Canadian-Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, who was chosen in November 1983 after an international competition that attracted entries from some 1,700 architects. The theatre was inaugurated on July 13th 1989.
Its architecture is marked by transparent façades and by the use of identical materials for both the interiors and the exteriors.
With its 2,700 acoustically consistent seats, its unique stage facilities, its integrated scenery, costume and accessory workshops, as well as its numerous work areas and rehearsal rooms, the Opera Bastille is a great modern theatre.
Stage facilities
Orchestra pit, mobile and adjustable, can be covered; at its largest it can house 130 musicians
Main stage, 45 m high, 30 m wide, 25 m deep, made up of 9 elevators allowing several levels to be created and supported by three main elevators, which bring scenery up from below stage
Clearing zones, 4 storage areas with the same dimensions as the stage
Backstage area, with its scenery turntable
Circulation area, scenery temporarily stored between the stage, workshops and rehearsal stage
Rehearsal stage, the Salle Gounod, with its orchestra pit and dimensions identical to those of the main stage
The building
Area at ground level: 22,000 m²
Floor area: 160,000 m²
Total height: 80 m (including 30 m below street level)
The auditoriums
The main auditorium
Area: 1,200 m², 5% of the total for the building
Dimensions: 20 m high, 32 m deep, 40 m wide
Number of seats: 2,703
Materials: blue granite from Lannelin in Brittany, pearwood from China, glass ceiling
The amphitheatre
Area: 700 m²
Depth : 21.4 m
Number of seats : 450
Materials: white breccia marble from Verona, staff ceiling
The Studio
Area: 280 m²
Depth: 19,5 m
Number of seats: 237
Materials: white breccia marble from Verona and pearwood