ROH: Madama Butterfly

‘Love cannot kill: it brings new life.’ On a starlit night in Nagasaki, these are the words spoken by American soldier Pinkerton to young geisha Cio-Cio-San. But as they both learn, words and promises carelessly spoken can have indelible consequences. With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, 'Un bel dì, vedremo' (‘One fine day’) and the Humming Chorus, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking. Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s exquisite production takes inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan. In the 2021/22 Season, Dinara Alieva and Lianna Haroutounian share the title role, with Dan Ettinger conducting. In the 22/23 season, Maria Agresta and Lianna Haroutounian share the role of Cio-Cio-San, with Nicola Luisotti conducting.