Madama Butterfly

In the middle of the 19th century, the American navy forced Japan to open its ports to international trade. As a result, knowledge of Japanese culture made its way to the West, inspiring numerous artists. Giacomo Puccini found himself inspired by the story of Madama Butterfly, in which American and Japanese cultures collide. The newly discovered world of sounds coming from Asian cultures inspired him to create his most ambitious score to date.  The tragic story is the tale of the American military lieutenant Pinkerton, who marries the young geisha Butterfly for the duration of his time in Japan. After he returns to America, Butterfly waits in vain with their son for his return, nearly breaking down in the process. With achingly beautiful and calmly abstract images, and grand narrative tension, American stage director Ted Huffman thrilled audiences with his debut production at the Opernhaus Zürich. In this revival, Ana María Martínez will make her house debut in the title role. The Puerto Rican soprano has already sung the role to great acclaim at the Viennese State Opera, the Opéra de Paris and at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. As in the premiere, Pinkerton and Sharpless will be sung by Saimir Pirgu and Brian Mulligan, respectively. At the podium of the Philharmonia Zürich is Marco Armiliato.