Madama Butterfly
Love. Sacrifice. Betrayal.
In this timeless story of love and loss, Cio-Cio-San gives up everything for U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. Ignoring warnings from her maid Suzuki and from American consul Sharpless, and despite threats from her uncle Bonze, she remains true to her lover.
Renowned Irish soprano Celine Byrne sings Madama Butterfly, her 2019 performance in the role was lauded by the Irish Times as “outstanding”, with the Sunday Independent describing her voice as “glorious”. In this brand-new production of Puccini’s masterpiece, she is joined by tenor Otar Jorjikia as Pinkerton, mezzo-soprano Hyona Kim as Suzuki, baritone Iurii Samoilov as Sharpless and bass-baritone John Molloy as Bonze.
From the delicate strains of the Humming Chorus to the soaring beauty of Un bel dì, Madama Butterfly is filled with some of the most iconic and moving music ever written. Puccini’s lush and poignant score carries us through Madama Butterfly’s memories, her longing and ultimately, her heartbreak as she waits for Pinkerton’s return.
Conducted by Fergus Sheil, Irish National Opera’s Artistic Director, Madama Butterfly is directed by Daisy Evans, with set design by Kat Heath, costume design by Catherine Fay and lighting design by Jake Wiltshire. Featuring the Irish National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Madama Butterfly is sung in Italian with English surtitles.
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A co-production with Scottish Opera.
Sets supported by the Laidlaw Opera Trust.
“She [Celine Byrne] simply delivers Puccini’s music – exquisitely, seemingly without effort – which then delivers the emotion and import of the moment, perfectly. Byrne is outstanding” - The Irish Times on INO’s Madama Butterfly 2019
“Popular soprano Celine Byrne sings the hugely demanding lead here and has a magic touch” - The Irish Independent on INO’s Madama Butterfly 2019
Cast & Creative Team
Cast
| Cio-Cio-San | Celine Byrne |
| B.F. Pinkerton | Otar Jorjikia |
| Sharpless | Iurii Samoilov |
| Suzuki | Hyona Kim |
| Goro | Thando Mjandana |
| Bonze | John Molloy |
| Yamadori | Paul Grant |
| Kate Pinkerton | Imelda Drumm |
| Cousin | Caroline Behan |
| Aunt | Deirdre Higgins |
| Mother | Sarah Luttrell |
| Yakusidé | Matthew Mannion |
| Imperial Commissioner | Michael Ferguson |
| Registrar | Maksym Lozovyi |
Creative Team
| Conductor | Fergus Sheil |
| Director | Daisy Evans |
| Set Design | Kat Heath |
| Costume Design | Catherine Fay |
| Lighting Design | Jake Wiltshire |
| Irish National Opera Chorus | |
| Irish National Opera Orchestra |
