The Audience reacts to Madama Butterfly
Tuesday, 4 November, 2025
Madama Butterfly is on at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin from 2-8 November 2025.
“a triumphant production of a great opera, being rescued from a sea of anachronisms, by a clear and intelligent vision through a new pair of eyes.” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“every scene is a visual delight” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Design by Kat Heath uses giant Japanese screens that move to frame the action, occasionally creating a wide cinematic shape (...) pretty blossoms feature, with spectacular petal drops” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“lit with tremendous verve by Jake Wiltshire” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“costume designer Catherine Fay’s delicate work” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Soprano Celine Byrne is a brilliant Butterfly, deeply affecting as this mistreated true-hearted girl.” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Tenor Otar Jorjikia is a charming Pinkerton, his remorse in Act 3 heartfelt.” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“The silent part of adult Sorrow, played by actor Michael Mullen, is full of command, equalled by the spirited performance of young Ewan Gaster as child Sorrow.” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
Read the full review from the Irish Independent here.
“an intoxicatingly beautiful production” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★★★
“Satellites circling soprano Celine Byrne who is peerless as a vibrant Cio-Cio-San (…) from impressionable ingénue to passionate mother, Byrne infuses Cio-Cio-San with youthful intensity and openheartedness, and her singing is superb” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★★★
“mezzo-soprano Hyona Kim as maid Suzuki (…) leaves you wishing for more” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★★★
“Tenor Otar Jorjikia as the duplicitous Pinkerton, baritone Iurii Samoilov as the moral conscience Sharpless, bass-baritone John Molloy as the patriarchal Bonze, and tenor Peter Van Hulle as glorified pimp Goro each mesmerising.” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★★★
“Irish National Opera Orchestra, under conductor Fergus Shiel, allowing Puccini’s score to rise, sweep, tumble or draw breath, most notably during the vigil where the full heft of its wait is felt.” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★★★
Read the full review from The Arts Review here.
“Star soprano Celine Byrne is perfectly suited to this Cio-Cio-San” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★★
“firm-voiced tenor Otar Jorjikia” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★★
“Fergus Sheil, conducts Puccini’s moving score with a warm, gentle energy” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★★
“The large chorus makes a strong impact in their sole scene” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★★
“A special mention for young Ewan Gaster, who energetically plays the child, notably in playful interactions with his future self.” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★★
Read the full review from The Irish Times here.
“The INO production under Director Daisy Evans is remarkable.” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“The seamless synergy between her interpretation, the stunning design by Kat Heath and the wonderful lighting design by Jake Wiltshire ensured the visual and dramatic treat” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“there were no heartstrings left unplucked” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“Many generations boast of having been in the presence of a real talent, and Celine Byrne truly reigns in our era. Her Butterfly is a vocal and dramatic tour de force. Her commanding on-stage presence never falters in over two and a half hours of musical prowess. Her dynamic and dramatic range illuminated the challenging score in a performance to be spoken about for many years to come.” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“Hyona Kim’s Susuki was every bit her equal, in drama and voice” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“Iurli Samoilov’s fine Sharpless, the American Consul, was full of powerful empathy and a lovely, mellow vocal contrast to his more detached countrymen.” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“Production Manager Peter Jordan, with Stage Managers Paula Tierney, Mel Purves and Anne Kyle, with their first-class technical team, deserve a bow in their own right.” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
“a real treat, vocally, visually and in the dramatic performance” - No More Workhores - Brian Merriman
Read the full review from No More Workhorse here.