The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly
Synopsis
Ever since it opened the 2006–07 season, Anthony Minghella’s striking production of Madama Butterfly has been a Met classic. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese theater, Minghella’s staging retells this heartbreaking tale with brilliant stagecraft, bold colors, and bunraku puppetry. In this Live in HD performance from the fall of 2019, Chinese soprano Hui He stars as Cio-Cio-San, the young geisha who puts her trust in a visiting American naval officer, only to later be abandoned by him. In a feat of operatic heroics, tenor Bruce Sledge appears as the callous Pinkterton, stepping into the role on short notice to replace an ailing colleague. Pier Giorgio Morandi conducts one of opera’s most tragic masterpieces, leading a cast that also includes mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong as Cio-Cio-San’s loyal companion, Suzuki, and Tony Award–winning baritone Paulo Szot as the U.S. consul Sharpless.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Madama Butterfly | Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
Type: Trailer • Published 2019-11-04
Top Cast
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Hui He
Cio-Cio-san
Bruce Sledge
Lt. B.F. Pinkerton
Scott Scully
Goro
Elizabeth DeShong
Suzuki
Paulo Szot
U.S. Consul Sharpless
Bradley Garvin
Imperial Commitionor
Juhwan Lee
The Registrar
Raymond Aceto
The Bonze
Jeongcheol Cha
Prince Yamadori
Christine Goerke
Self - Host
Elizabeth Scilbo
Cio-Cio-San's Cousin
Marie Te Hapuku
Cio-Cio-San's Mother
Craig Montgomery
Uncle Yakusidé
Anne Nonnemacher
Cio-Cio-San's Aunt
Bradley Garvin
Imperial Commissioner
Megan Esther Grey
Kate Pinkerton
Release History & Theatrical Window
November 9, 2019
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Habib Azar
- Screenplay & Story
- Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa, David Belasco
- Original Score
- Giacomo Puccini
- Original Title
- The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- Italian
- Runtime
- 2h 22m
- Production Studios
- The Metropolitan Opera
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Habib Azar
Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa, David Belasco
Giacomo Puccini
Louisa Briccetti, Victoria Warivonchik, Peter Gelb
Department Leadership Roster
Luigi Illica
Writer
Giuseppe Giacosa
Writer
Habib Azar
Director
Anthony Minghella
Production Design
Louisa Briccetti
Producer
Victoria Warivonchik
Producer
Giacomo Puccini
Original Music Composer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly about?
Ever since it opened the 2006–07 season, Anthony Minghella’s striking production of Madama Butterfly has been a Met classic. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese theater, Minghella’s staging retells this heartbreaking tale with brilliant stagecraft, bold colors, and bunraku puppetry. In this Live in HD performance from the fall of 2019, Chinese soprano Hui He stars as Cio-Cio-San, the young geisha who puts her trust in a visiting American naval officer, only to later be abandoned by him. In a feat of operatic heroics, tenor Bruce Sledge appears as the callous Pinkterton, stepping into the role on short notice to replace an ailing colleague. Pier Giorgio Morandi conducts one of opera’s most tragic masterpieces, leading a cast that also includes mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong as Cio-Cio-San’s loyal companion, Suzuki, and Tony Award–winning baritone Paulo Szot as the U.S. consul Sharpless.
Who directed The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly?
The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly was directed by Habib Azar.
Who stars in The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly?
The principal cast of The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly includes Hui He, Bruce Sledge, Scott Scully, Elizabeth DeShong, Paulo Szot.
When was The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly released and how long is it?
The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly was released in 2019 with a total runtime of 2h 22m.
Who composed the musical score for The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly was composed by Giacomo Puccini.