MADAMA BUTTERFLY – The "Oleg Danovski" National Theater of Opera and Ballet

May 3, 2026, 7:00 PM

House of Culture of the Trade Unions Constanta - Great Hall

Music: Giacomo Puccini

"Madama Butterfly" is an opera composed by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa (based on a story by John Luther Long and a play by David Belasco). The premiere of the opera took place in Brescia, on May 28, 1904. The action takes place at the beginning of the 20th century in Japan, near the port of Nagasaki.

CREATORS AND CAST

Artistic direction: OGNIAN DRAGANOV
Scenography: GRIGORE GORDUZ
Costumes: TVETANKA STOINOVA

Soloists: NICOLETA ARDELEAN debut, IOAN ARDELEAN, DORU IFTENE, LUCIA MIHALACHE, IONELA DUMA, IONUȚ NEAGU, MIRCEA GĂVAN debut, ADRIAN PÎRLEA, MARIUS TURTOI, ANDREI BĂICAN, DAIANA GAVRILESCU

Musical Direction TIBERIU DRAGOȘ OPREA

Choirmaster ADRIAN STANACHE

Orchestra and Choir of the "Oleg Danovski" National Theater of Opera and Ballet

SUMMARY

ACT I

In Nagasaki, in a house on a hill, the marriage of the Japanese Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly) to the American officer Pinkerton is celebrated. Consul Sharpless draws her attention to the fact that the young bride takes seriously what is only amusement for Pinkerton. Indeed, when her relatives repudiate her for this marriage, the young woman finds in Pinkerton's love a consolation that does not resemble a simple game.

ACT II

Three years of waiting have passed, but Butterfly still hopes that Pinkerton will return, raising her son and refusing any proposal to remarry. She trusts the oath of love and does not understand the Consul's advice, who has the mission to announce Pinkerton's return, remarried, only to take his son. Upon hearing the signal of the ship entering the port, Butterfly prepares to receive her husband.

ACT III

After a night of vigil, Butterfly fell asleep at dawn. Pinkerton arrives with the Consul and Kate, his American wife, and tells the maid Suzuki the purpose of their visit. In the face of the evidence, Suzuki realizes that the end of the young mistress has arrived. Butterfly bears the news with great courage, but asks Pinkerton to come and take his child. While the little one waits with the American flag in his hand, Butterfly commits suicide, hearing for the last time her name shouted by Pinkerton, who rushes up the hill.

Approximate duration: 2 hours 30 minutes, 1 break