Details

An American naval officer (Pinkerton) 'acquires' a 15 year old Geisha wife during a stay in Japan - but has no intention of staying with her. After a while he returns to the USA and marries his fiancee. Meanwhile, Butterfly waits for him for three years, cut off from her family, religion and culture by being an American wife. And she is now a mother. When he finally returns she is overjoyed, but he brings with him his new wife. Story originally published in a magazine. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. Running time 2 hours 55 minutes.

Cast/Performers

David Rendall (Pinkerton), Aled Hall (Goro), Claire Bradshaw (Suzuki), Henry Newman (Sharpless), Helen Field (Cio-Cio-San), Timothy Mirfin (Imperial Commissioner), Alan Fairs (Bonze)

Creatives/Company

Music: Puccini
Lyrics(s): Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica (1904)
Company: Welsh National Opera
Conductor(s): Julian Smith (to Nov 2), Simon Phillippo (from Nov 7)
Director: Joachim Hertz
Design: Reinhart Zimmermann
Costume: Eleonore Kleiber
Lighting: John Waterhouse