MADAM BUTTERFLY (Puccini)

On tour to Plymouth, Exmouth, Exeter, Dartmouth and Chudleigh, Madam Butterfly tells the true story of the passionate love affair between a beautiful Japanese geisha and a handsome US naval officer, who later abandons her and their small child. A huge success since its première in Italy in 1904, Butterfly is one of the top five most regularly performed operas in the world today. The music includes some of opera’s most ravishing and well-known melodies, such as the gorgeous love duet ‘Vogliatemi bene’; (‘Love me, please’) and ‘Un bel dì’ (‘One Fine Day). In Puccini’s own words, this opera is his “most deeply felt and imaginative invention’.

Our outstanding international cast is led by Italian tenor, Pietro Picone as the heartless American naval officer, Pinkerton. The role of the young geisha, Cio Cio San, is shared between sopranos Susan Jiwey and Mariya Krywaniuk. Wyn Pencarreg and Stuart Haycock reprise the roles they sang in 2011 for Mid Wales Opera’s award winning production. New Devon Opera’s acclaimed artists and community chorus bring to life Puccini’s range of fascinating and fearsome Japanese characters. The opera is sung in English; and the production is accompanied by the NDO’ orchestra of 21 south west musicians, conducted by Paul Foster.
Cast includes:
Cio Cio San: Susan Jiwey/Mariya Krywaniuk Pinkerton: Pietro Picone
Sharpless: Wyn Pencarreg Suzuki: Alison Duguid
Goro: Stuart Haycock Yamadori: Stuart Boother
Director and Designer: Martyn Harrison
Conductor: Paul Foster

For more information visit http://www.newdevonopera.co.uk/