Madama Butterfly | Teatri di Opera Lombardia, Brescia & Tour, 2023–2024
Rodula Gaitanou’s new production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly premiered at Teatro Grande di Brescia in July 2023, touring to Teatro Ponchielli di Cremona and Estonian National Opera through 2024. This international co-production featured the “Bresciana” version—Puccini’s successful 1904 revision following the infamous La Scala premiere fiasco.
With set and costume design by takis and conducted by Riccardo Frizza, the production starred leading international sopranos in the role of Cio-Cio-San, the geisha betrayed by American naval officer Pinkerton. takis’ design created the Japanese aesthetic Puccini’s score evokes while supporting the opera’s intimate domestic tragedy and explosive emotional climaxes.
Director Gaitanou won the “Arts and Culture” ARGO AWARDS 2022 for her work. Madama Butterfly remains one of opera’s most frequently performed works, and this production demonstrated how fresh direction can illuminate the opera’s cultural complexities and emotional devastation.
Creative Team: Director: Rodula Gaitanou | Designer: takis | Conductor: Riccardo Frizza | Composer: Giacomo Puccini