Recording of Madama Butterfly performed in Finnish National Opera on Thursday 15 February 2018 is now available in our Stage24. Recording is a co-production of FNOB and HSTV.
Set the stage in your living room and enjoy the beauty of Puccini’s music.
Love, longing and tears are what we know to expect, but this production will also include music not usually heard. Puccini revised Madama Butterfly several times after its unsuccessful premiere, and the version performed in this production is no. 2 – for the first time at the FNOB.
Recommended for children over the age of 12.
A co-production of Finnish National Opera & Gothenburg Opera.
Header photo: Mats Bäcker / Gothenburg Opera
”Directing an opera is about giving space to the music and allowing it to have its way, to realise the intention of the composer. Everything else – directing, sets, costumes – are there just to support the music and the singers, who should not be made to be part of the set.”
– Yoshi Oïda, director
”I was 12 years old when many American soldiers came to Japan after the Second World War. I still have clear memories of that time… the Japanese idolisation of America and the encounter of two cultures. My background gives me a personal insight into the story of Madama Butterfly, which is about a young geisha’s love of an American soldier.
I used to think that, as a Japanese director, I had to do Madama Butterfly in my lifetime. This production is my opportunity, and my aim is to show the beauty and dignity of human nature through my direction.”
Pinkerton, an officer in the US Navy stationed in Japan, acquires a young wife through a marriage broker. Cio-Cio San has actually fallen in love with Pinkerton and does not understand that the arrangement is a temporary one. Pinkerton returns home, the years go by, and Cio-Cio San continues to wait for his ship to return.
Finally, the ship does arrive, but it brings a devastating disappointment to Cio-Cio San: Pinkerton now has an American wife, and they have returned to Japan only to take Pinkerton’s child back with them. Heartbroken and dishonoured, Butterfly picks up her father’s dagger and takes her own life.
Music
Giacomo Puccini
Conductor
Conductor
Pietari Inkinen
Director
Yoshi Oïda
Sets
Tom Schenk
Costumes
Thibault Vancraenenbroeck
Lighting design
Fabrice Kebour
Cio-cio-san
Hiromi Omura
Cio-cio-san
Hyeseoung Kwon
Pinkerton
Pinkerton
Suzuki
Suzuki
Sharpless
Sharpless
Goro
Goro
The commissioner
The commissioner
Bonzo
Kate pinkerton
Kate pinkerton
Ylva Gruen
Prince yamadori
Prince yamadori
Yakuside
Yakuside
Mother
Mother
The aunt
The aunt
The cousin
The cousin
The child
Mikael Kohi
The child
Joona Eloranta
The official
The official
Sweet and savoury for the season
See what you like: choose your favourites on this season’s rich menu.
Book your refreshments beforehand online or at the Opera Restaurant sales desk; you will have a much wider range to choose from, and you will not have to queue in the interval. Download the seating plan of the Opera Restaurant (PDF).
Opera Restaurant sales desk
Tel. +358 9 4030 2377 on weekdays 09.00–11.00 and 12.00–16.00
Service desk beside the box office in the Opera House foyer on the Töölönlahti side open from Tuesday to Friday 12.00–16.00
ravintolapalvelut[at]opera.fi
Buy a season ticket and get benefits
If you visit us several times a year and would like to ensure that you get a seat at future premieres, the season ticket is a perfect choice for you. As a season ticket holder, you will receive discounts and benefits and a designated seat in the auditorium.
Gift voucher
Give a friend or family member an evening at the opera or ballet.
Opening hours
We are here to help you both in person and by phone, Monday through Saturday.
Press and Media
Press bulletins, photos and tickets, interview requests and PR staff contact details.
Groups and companies
Make a splash and organise a reception at the Opera House.
With children
Performances for children and tips for families.
Refreshments
Fancy a treat? The Opera Restaurant has plenty of delectable options. Services are available before performances and during the interval.
Regular customers
Becoming a regular customer is worth it: see the twelve benefits granted to season ticket holders.
Accessibility
Read about step-free access at the Opera House.
Getting there
The Opera House is easily accessible by car, public transport and even bicycle.
Programme booklets
Find out more about the performances.
Tours
Pull back the curtain and take a peek backstage on a guided tour.
Discounts
Read more about exchanging your ticket, ticket types, flexible pricing, discounts and our sales and delivery terms.