Madama Butterfly - Giacomo Puccini - Russian State Opera

No opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, one of the most colourful and exotic operas. We are thrilled to welcome Russian State Opera as they visit The Gaiety to delight you with an exquisite production, boasting beautiful sets and costumes which form the perfect setting for this emotional and heart-breaking story. The music of Giacomo Puccini, sung in Italian with English surtitles, and featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live Orchestra. Set in Japan at the turn of the last century, it is the story of a doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy.

Though infinitely sad and tragic, the compelling tale of Madama Butterfly remained Puccini’s favourite opera – his supreme theatrical achievements also gave the world its most sublime and beautiful arias in history – ‘One Fine Day’ and ‘Love Duet’, as well as the ‘Humming Chorus’ which has been popular with opera-goers for over a century. This touching tale of innocent love crushed between two utterly different cultures resonates as strongly as ever in today’s world.

“Russian State Opera enjoyed a well-deserved standing ovation” - Daily Post