HANDA OPERA ON SYDNEY HARBOUR
madama butterfly 2014

This is the story of a Japanese girl who marries a US naval officer while he is on shore leave. With their child she waits expectantly for his return – but when his ship arrives, he is accompanied by his new American wife. Striken by grief, Butterfly commits suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live with shame.
– Music by Puccini

``Madama Butterfly is the most fabulous of spectacles, and is commendable on a number of levels (not least for introducing new audiences to opera). Thankfully though, the glitz of this Handa Opera production does not supersede the work’s original power or intention``.
The Australian
What is opera to you? The rush of adrenalin as a soprano or tenor’s voice soars, the roar of the chorus, the larger-than-life costumes and scenery, the moving stories, or just the whole sense of occasion? Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is all this, and more, so come down to the water’s edge and let the story begin.
We’re on a naval base somewhere on the Pacific rim. A young officer acquires a bride to keep him company during his tour of duty. It’s clearly a financial transaction rather than a love match but on their wedding night the stars come out, their eyes meet and magic happens. We dare you to hear Cio-Cio San and Pinkerton’s exquisite love duet and remain unmoved, especially when it takes place on a balmy summer’s evening against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The stars will be there, for real. Magic too?
cast & crew
Cio-Cio-San Hiromi Omura and Mariana Hong
Suzuki Anna Whitney and Victoria Lambourn
Pinkerton Georgy Vasiliev and Andeka Gorrotxategi
Sharpless Michael Honeyman and Barry Ryan
Goro Graeme Macfarlane
The Bonze Gennadi Dubinsky
Kate Pinkerton Celeste Lazarenko
Prince Yamadori Sitiveni Talei
Commissioner Simon Meadows
Registrar Adam Player
Conductor Brian Castles-Onion
Stage Director Alex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus)
Set Designer Alfons Flores
Costume Designer Lluc Castells
Lighting Designer Alexander Koppelmann
Sound Designer Tony David Cray
Assistant Directors Andy Morton, Susana Gómez