Opera in 3 acts
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
based on a story written by John Luther Long
Сhief conductor |
Igor Latsanych People’s Artist of Ukraine |
Сonductor |
Ivan Cherednichenko Winner of international competitions |
Stage director |
Anatoly Lymariev |
Set designer |
Tadey Ryndzak People's Artist of Ukraine |
Costume designer |
Oksana Zinchenko Honored Artist of Ukraine |
Chorus master |
Iryna Koval |
Japan, early twentieth century. On a terrace full of flowers, above Nagasaki harbor, U.S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton is marrying geisha Cio-Cio-San that means “butterfly”. American consul, Sharpless advises Pinkerton to think about geisha’s future. Having fallen in love with Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-San embraced the Christian faith and broke the relationship with her relatives. However Pinkerton is not interested in the destiny of Cio-Cio-San. He claims that he is roaming the world in the search of pleasure and proposes a toast for his “real” American wife he will marry one day. The celebration is interrupted by Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a Buddhist priest, who bursts in, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors’ religion. However Cio-Cio-San is happy because her beloved Pinkerton is nearby.
Three years later, Cio-Cio-San waits for her husband’s return. In vain Suzuki explains that foreigners do not return to their Japanese wives; in vain Sharpless tries to tell her that Pinkerton will not come back. The girl dismisses the wealthy Prince Yamadori, insisting that she has American husband and her real name is Madame Pinkerton. Sharpless brings a letter from the lieutenant and suggests Pinkerton may not return. Cio-Cio-San brings her child, Dolore (Trouble) with proud, saying that as soon as Pinkerton knows he has a son he surely will come back. Cio-Cio-San hears a cannon report; she discovers Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbour. Now delirious with joy, she is preparing to meet her husband.
As dawn breaks, Cio-Cio-San understands that she is waiting in vain. Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife, to take his son with him. Pinkerton, full of remorse, bids an anguished farewell then rushes away. Guessing the truth, the shattered Cio-Cio-San agrees to give him her child. Then, sending Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Saying farewell, Cio-Cio-San stabs herself.
As dawn breaks, Cio-Cio-San understands that she is waiting in vain. Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife, to take his son with him. Pinkerton, full of remorse, bids an anguished farewell then rushes away. Guessing the truth, the shattered Cio-Cio-San agrees to give him her child. Then, sending Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Saying farewell, Cio-Cio-San stabs herself.
The opera “Madama Butterfly” is a lyrical drama about the unrequited love of a Japanese girl and an American officer.
Puccini’s opera “Madama Butterfly” has quite an unusual fate, because it failed during the premiere. Though all the musicians who participated in the production did not doubt its success. The audience was disappointed with the familiar motives from other operas of the composer. However, the score was rewritten and the main part of Chio Chio San was played by Solomia Krushelnytska and the opera enjoyed the tremendous success. It enchants with beauty and unusual plot. The opera is peculiar not only in Puccini’s great music, but also in unusual Japanese culture.






































Cio-Cio-san (Madama Butterfly) |
Lyubov Kachala People’s Artist of Ukraine |
Pinkerton |
Mykhajlo Malafij winner of the international competitions Roman Trochymuk Honored artist of Ukraine Maksym Vorochek |
Suzuki |
Olena Skitsko winner of the international competition |
Sharpless |
Roman Strakhov winner of the international competition Yurii Shevchuk winner of the international competition |
Kate Pinkerton |
Liliya Nikitchuk winner of the international competition |
Goro |
Vitaliy Voytko Oleh Lanovyy winner of the international competition Oleg Sadetsky Honored artist of Ukraine |
Bonze |
Dmytro Kokotko Ihor Mikhnevych Yurii Trytsetskyi Honored artist of Ukraine |
Сommissioner |
Vitalij Zagorbenskyj winner of the international competition Mykola Kornutyak winner of the international competition |
Prince Yamadori |
Vitaliy Voytko |