The Hallé - Puccini’s Tragic Geisha

During Sir Mark’s tenure as Music Director, the Hallé’s opera performances have become legendary. Puccini saw Belasco’s play Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan, while visiting London in 1900; instantly he knew its potential as an opera. Although its premiere at La Scala two years later wasn’t a success, following revisions it rapidly became an essential part of the repertoire. A story of love betrayed, at its heart is the gentle heroine Cio-Cio San (aka Butterfly); her aria Un bel di vedremo is but one of the opera’s glorious inspirations. As the season reaches its climax, we offer two chances to hear a world-class cast led by the young Japanese soprano Eri Nakamura, whose captivating performances at Covent Garden and in opera houses worldwide have established her international reputation.