September 1, 2015 – In Milan, at La Scala, makes its debut on February 17, 1904 the three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, with libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, entitled “Madama Butterfly”. Today – after more than a hundred years – the Theatre of Place des Arts in Montreal, Canada, has chosen “Madama Butterfly” to inaugurate the 36th season of the Opéra de Montréal (the most important opera house in French-speaking North America). With the support of the Italian Cultural Institute, the opera will be represented on September 19 (at 7.30pm) in a whirlwind of emotions and notes, passion and betrayal, love and frailty, a clash of cultures that anticipates the whole history of the twentieth century. Considered one of the most famous works by the Italian composer, defined for its score and booklet a “Japanese tragedy,” the opera will remain in the Theatre of Place des Arts for September 22, 24, 26 and 28. “Madama Butterfly” will be performed by the Métropolitain Orchestra and a first-rate cast which includes soprano Melody Moore and tenor Demos Flemotomos, who are making their debut in the company of the Opéra de Montréal. The production, directed by the Quebecois François Racine, 2 hours and 45 minutes long, will be staged in the great Wilfrid-Pelletier hall. With “Madama Butterfly”, the Opéra de Montréal chooses to open the season by inviting everyone in. “It’s the story of real and deep passion. If you don’t understand opera, Madama Butterfly is definitely the first you should see – said the director – and this for several reasons: its exoticism, which also means simplicity, the beauty of the music, and the daily lives of its characters”. (PO / Gilk)
Madama Butterfly opens the 2016 Opera season
