Madama Butterfly

Order tickets
January 2020 Next
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

 

Related events
Concerts in Paris
Paris - Paris Tours
Performances: Su 26 May 2024,
Crazy Horse Paris
Paris - Crazy Horse Paris
Performances: Th 04 Apr 2024, 00:00
Crazy Horse Paris
Paris - Crazy Horse Paris
Performances: Mo 01 Apr 2024, 00:00
Crazy Horse Paris
Paris - Crazy Horse Paris
Performances: Tu 02 Apr 2024, 00:00
Moulin Rouge
Paris - Moulin Rouge
Performances: Th 11 Apr 2024, 00:00
Moulin Rouge - Moulin Rouge Paris
Paris - Moulin Rouge
Performances: Th 28 Mar 2024, 08:30