Opéra de Biarritz Pays Basque – «Butterfly»

Premiered in 1904 at La Scala in Milan, *Madama Butterfly* is one of the most moving operas in the repertoire. In it, Puccini tells the story of the tragic clash between two worlds: that of Cio-Cio-San, a young, idealistic Japanese woman, and that of Pinkerton, an American officer, whose frivolity and fickleness will seal the young woman’s fate. Through music of great delicacy, blending Italian lyricism with Eastern hues, Puccini explores love, longing, abandonment, and sacrifice with rare emotional intensity. Famous arias such as “Un bel giorno vedremo” and the “Chorus with Closed Mouths” make *Madama Butterfly* a universal masterpiece—deeply human and timeless. Costumes and sets by the Biarritz Opera Workshops in the Basque Country. Running time: 2 hours 15 minutes (1 intermission)