Madama Butterfly one of Giacomo Puccini's masterpieces and one of the most popular operas of all times will be presented this year at the Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus. The opera is produced and performed by the Lyric Theatre "Giuseppe Verdi" - Trieste at the magical Pafos Medieval Castle.
Madama Butterfly is the 10th production of the annual Pafos Aphrodite Festival. Building on the success and experience of its previous productions: Aida (1999), Carmen (2000), Nabucco and Zorba the Greek (2001), Turandot (2002), Tosca (2003), Rigoletto (2004), La Traviata (2005), Un Ballo in Maschera (2006) and Il Trovatore (2007) it aspires to offer the music lovers another unique experience.
There will be subtitles both in English and Greek.
PAFOS APHRODITE FESTIVAL 2008
The Festival
Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus proudly presents its 10th annual Festival. Building on the success and experience of its previous productions: Aida (1999), Carmen (2000), Nabucco and Zorba the Greek (2001), Turandot (2002), Tosca (2003), Rigoletto (2004), La Traviata (2005), Un Ballo in Maschera (2006) and Il Trovatore (2007) it aspires to offer the music lovers another unique experience.
The new production’s success is guaranteed by its basic elements: Madama Butterfly (29th, 30th and 31st August) this one of Giacomo Puccini’s masterpieces and one of the most popular operas of all times, the Lyric Theatre “Giuseppe Verdi” - Trieste, and naturally Pafos Medieval Castle is the magical location that has established itself
as a symbol of culture and civilization. Same as last year’s Festival there will be subtitles both in English and Greek.
The opera: Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly, one of the most frequently produced operas in the entire repertory, is in three acts (originally two acts) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. The opera was based in part on the short story “Madame Butterfly” (1898) by John Luther Long – which was turned into a play by David Belasco – and also on the novel Madame Chrysanthème (1887) by Pierre Loti.
The first version of the opera premiered February 17, 1904 at La Scala in Milan.
Puccini’s music, Illica and Giacosa’s libretto both stress the profound psychological transformation of Butterfly from a naïve child-bride to a tragic heroine. Τhe contradictory impulse to present Cio-Cio-San as the objectified Orient and the desire to empathize with her on a deep emotional level has continued to fascinate the audiences of Madama Butterfly over the past one hundred years.
Madama Butterfly: Synopsis
Beginning of the 20th century, Nagasaki, Japan
One of the world's most popular operas, Madama Butterfly passionately explores the consequences of obsessive devotion. Pinkerton, a U.S. Navy officer in Japan, contracts what he considers a temporary marriage to Cio-Cio- San, called Butterfly, who renounces religion and family in her adoration for him. When Pinkerton leaves for America, Butterfly blissfully ignores warnings of his unfaithfulness and awaits his return, even turning down a marriage proposal from Yamadori, a rich Japanese businessman. Cio-Cio San gives birth to a baby and devotedly waits for her husband to return. With all avenues of escape closed to her, she is shattered when Pinkerton returns with an American wife. Butterfly ends her unbearable misery with her father's sword, thus preserving her honor.
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