Madama Butterfly

Expectation and hope

One of Puccini’s famous, and one of the world’s most popular, operas. Madame Butterfly teaches us about hope, longing, unconditional love and the problems when two cultures collide.

With the help of Japanese soprano Miki Mori, we’ll look at the character’s deepest desires, dreams and worries. Mori will captivate you with her voice, and shock you with her descriptions of the ritual suicide ceremony we know as harakiri.

We’ll also talk to conductor Daniele Callegari about Puccini and his stunning music, as well as the reasons behind his success as one of the most well-known composers in the history of opera.
We’ll visit a cherry tree plantation in full bloom and will discover more about the symbolism of this tree in Japanese culture in general, and in Madame Butterfly specifically. This episode will give encouragement to all those who remain true to their dreams: Madame Butterfly is the quintessential expression of unconditional love – love that remains strong no matter what the circumstances. An opera full of magic and poetry.

Excerpts
"Madama Butterfly” Sferisterio Opera Festival, 2010 Metisfilm, UNITEL
“Tosca” Bayerische Staatsoper 2010 UNITEL, BR, Arte
“Tosca” (A05004543) UNITEL 1976
“La Bohème” Salzburg Festival, 2012 ORF, ZDF, NHK, UNITEL
“La Fanciulla del west” Wiener Staatsoper, 2013 ORF, UNITEL
“Turandot” Palau de les Arts "Reina Sofía", Valencia Intendant Helga Schmidt ZDF for ARTE, UNITEL 2008

GUEST APPEARANCES
Miki Mori
Daniele Callegari