Madama Butterfly

Opera in three acts (1904)
Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
based on John Luther Long’s short story (1898) of the
same name and David Belasco’s play Madame Butterfly. A tragedy of Japan (1900)
In Italian language with German surtitles

PREMIERE

20 July 2023 - 9.15 p.m., Seebühne

The Japanese geisha Cio-Cio-San, called Butterfly, revels in happiness when the US-American lieutenant Pinkerton marries her. Their love culminates in an enchanting duet. Soon after, however, a ship takes the soldier back home.

It is a clash of worlds and values: While Pinkerton feels free and marries an US-American woman back home, Butterfly, full of love, hope and longing, waits for his return for three long years – together with their child. Singing her famous aria “Un bel dì vedremo”, she imagines the day she and her beloved husband will be reunited. Then, however, Pinkerton returns with his US-American wife and Cio-Cio-San makes an irrevocable decision.

As one of the most played operas today, Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly returns to the Seebühne for another summer. With a fine Japanese-looking piece of paper, stage designer Michael Levine created a magical platform on Lake Constance for Cio-Cio-San’s touching story. Andreas Homoki, artistic director at the Zurich Opera House, uses atmospheric video projections and Antony McDonald’s colourful costumes to stage this heartbreaking opera in the beautiful lakeside scenery. Conductor Enrique Mazzola returns as musical director.

The 2023 Bregenz Festival runs from 19 July to 20 August 2023. For tickets and details visit www.bregenzerfestspiele.com or call 0043 5574 4076.+43 (0)5574 407-6.

Conductor Enrique Mazzola, Yi-Chen Lin
Stage director Andreas Homoki
Stage designer Michael Levine
Costume designer Antony McDonald
Lighting designer Franck Evin
Video designer Luke Halls
Choreographer Lucy Burge
Choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek, Benjamin Lack
Sound Designer Alwin Bösch, Clemens Wannemacher

Wired Aerial Theatre

Bregenzer Festspielchor | Prague Philharmonic Choir 

Wiener Symphoniker