Madama Butterfly at the Royal Opera House

East meets West with devastating consequences in Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s production of Puccini’s deeply poignant opera.

Antonio Pappano conducts an impressive cast led by Ermonela Jaho and Marcelo Puente in Puccini’s deeply poignant opera. Set against an exotic Nagasaki backdr op drawn from 19th century western artists' romanticised view of Japan, it's a heart-breaking tale of love, honour and betrayal played out to a magnificently evocative score. The romantic exoticism of 19th-century European images of Japan – an integral part of Madama Butterfly’s character – inspire Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s elegant production for The Royal Opera. “Marcelo Puente makes an ideal, blury, young navy lieutenant” (Financial Times); “Superlative conducting of the inexhaustible Antonio Pappano.” (The Daily Telegraph); "Ermonela Jaho is the best Cio-Cio-San London has seen in years.” (The Independent); “This production of Puccini’s tragedy is a superb achievement. The whole evening is, in fact, outstanding.” (The Guardian)

Puccini: Madama Butterfly
Genre Opera
Recording location Royal Opera House, 2017
Duration 135 mins
Production Company Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Composer Giacomo Puccini
Orchestra / Band Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor Antonio Pappano
Stage Director Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier
Soloist Ermonela Jaho, Marcelo Puente, Scott Hendricks, Carlo Bosi