‘Love cannot kill: it brings new life.’

On a starlit night in Nagasaki, these are the words spoken by American naval officer Pinkerton to young geisha Cio-Cio-San. But as they both learn, words, and promises carelessly spoken can have indelible consequences.

With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ (‘One fine day’) and the ‘Humming Chorus’, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking. Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s exquisite production takes inspiration from 19th-century European images of Japan.

Cast
Maria Agresta (Cio-Cio-San), Joshua Guerrero (Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton), Carlos Álvarez (Sharpless), Christine Rice (Suzuki), Carlo Bosi (Goro)

Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera

Credits
Music: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica
Directors: Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier