The Italian conductor Damiano Michieletto is at the helm of a new version of the classic drama by Giacomo Puccini from 30 June to 22 July. It pays tribute to the Spanish soprano, Victoria de los Ángeles to commemorate the centenary of her birth (1923-2005).
Premièred in 1904 in Milan (Italy), it is set in Nagasaki in the early 20th century, where the official of the American Navy, Pinkerton marries Cio-Cio-San, a fifteen-year-old geisha known as Madame Butterfly. However, she is no more than a love affair for the soldier during his time in Japan. When he goes back to America, the young girl awaits the return of her husband whilst looking after their son.
When he finally returns to Nagasaki, Pinkerton is accompanied by his American wife, which leads to tragedy for Butterfly. The piece explores topics such as love, betrayal, cultural differences and sacrifice. Furthermore, the music by Puccini is famous for its sensitivity and beauty, contributing to giving enormous emotional depth to the story.
On this occasion, Cio-Cio San is played by Saioa Hernández, Aleksandra Kurzak, Ailyn Pérez and Lianna Haroutounian, under the baton of Nicola Luisotti and Luis Miguel Méndez.
Artistic File:
- Musical Conductor - Nicola Luisotti (30 June; 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22 July) and Luis Miguel Méndez (5, 11, 18 July)
- Stage Manager - Damiano Michieletto
- Stage Design - Paolo Fantin
- Wardrobe- Carla Teti
- Lighting - Marco Filibeck
- Choirmaster - José Luis Basso
Cast:
- Cio-Cio-San - Saioa Hernández (30 June; 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 July), Aleksandra Kurzak (1, 7, 10, 16, 21 July), Ailyn Pérez (3, 9, 14, 17 July) and Lianna Haroutounian (5, 11, 18 July)
- Suzuki - Silvia Beltrami (30 June; 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 July), Nino Surguladze (1, 7, 10, 16, 21 July) and Gemma Coma-Alabert (3, 5, 9, 11, 14, 17, 18 July)
- F.B. Pinkerton - Matthew Polenzani (30 June; 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 July), Charles Castronovo (1, 7, 10, 16, 21 July), Michael Fabiano (3, 9, 14, 17 July) and Leonardo Capalbo (5, 11, 18 July)
- Sharpless - Lucas Meachem (30 June; 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 July), Gabriel Bermúdez (1, 7, 10, 16, 21 July), Gerardo Bullón (3, 9, 14, 17 July) and Luis Cansino (5, 11, 18 July)
- Goro - Mikeldi Atxalandabaso (30 June; 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22 July) and Moisés Marín (1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21 July)
- Prince Yamadori - Tomeu Bibiloni (30 June; 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22 July) and Toni Marsol (1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21 July)
- Uncle Bonzo - Fernando Radó (30 June; 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22 July) and George Andguladze (1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21 July)
- Kate Pinkerton - Marta Fontanals-Simmons
Programme:
Japanese Tragedy in Three Acts
- Music by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
- Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illic, based on the theatre play Madame Butterfly, by David Belasco, in turn inspired by a tale by John Luther Long
- Premièred at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 17 February 1904
- Premièred at the Teatro Real on 20 November 1907
- Production by the Teatro Regio Torino
