Kristine Opolais as Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly. Photo: Bill CooperThe Royal Opera’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s deeply poignant opera Madama Butterfly will be broadcast live to the Eden Cinemas’ screens tomorrow evening.
Royal Opera music director Antonio Pappano conducts an impressive cast led by Ermonela Jaho in one of the most popular of all operas, with ravishing music and a heartbreaking story of a loving geisha deserted by a callous American husband.
Soprano Jaho sings the title role for the first time at Covent Garden.
The exotic imagery of the Nagasaki setting is drawn from 19th-century Western artists’ romanticised views of Japan.
Puccini’s music brings alive the birdsong of the morning, the ritual of a wedding and the seduction by naval officer B.F. Pinkerton (sung by tenor Marcelo Puente) of his young, innocent bride.
Some well-known moments include the impassioned aria Un bel dì (One Fine Day) as the abandoned Cio-Cio-San clings vainly to her dreams.
■ The live broadcast of Madama Butterfly screens at the Eden Cinemas tomorrow at 8.15pm. An encore screening will be held on Sunday at 3pm. Tickets may be purchased from the Eden Cinemas box office or online at www.edencinemas.com.mt.