Opera Australia’s Madama Butterfly Tours To China
Opera Australia has announced that the company will undertake an inaugural tour to China this October, presenting Moffatt Oxenbould’s celebrated production of Madama Butterfly.
The tour will perform eight performances in four Chinese cities: Tianjin, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Zhuhai. It is Opera Australia’s first multi-city international tour. Oxenbould’s production was performed for the last time in Australia last season, but has been brought out of retirement for this overseas tour. Its revival will be staged under the guidance of director Andy Morton, who made his Opera Australia directing debut, with La Bohème at this year’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.
The cast comprises the captivating soprano Hyeseoung Kwon as Cio-Cio-San, with mezzo-soprano Agnes Sarkis as Suzuki with Paul O’Neill as Pinkerton, Barry Ryan, Graeme Macfarlane, Steven Gallop and Simon Meadows performing with the China National Opera House Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Muhai Tang.
Madama Butterfly tells the tale of two lovers, separated between culture, oceans and time. Puccini’s luscious music, magnificently orchestrated includes the famous Humming Chorus, the poignant One Fine Day and the passionate dream sequence.
The production will be sung in Italian with Mandarin surtitles.
Creatives: Conductor Muhai Tang/ Director Moffatt Oxenbould/Revival Director Andy Morton/ Movement Coordinator Andrew Frith
Cast: Cio-Cio-San Hyeseoung Kwon /Pinkerton Paul O’Neill/ Suzuki Agnes Sarkis/ Sharpless Barry Ryan/ Goro Graeme Macfarlane/
Bonze Steven Gallop/ Yamadori Simon Meadows/ Kate Pinkerton Kristen Leich/ Chorus Michael Lapina. Sharon Zhai, Matthew Reardon,
Rachael Cunningham
If you’re planning a trip to China, here are the dates and venues:
Tianjin Grand Theatre Thursday 4 October, Friday 5 October/ Qingdao Grand Theatre Thursday 11 October, Friday 12 October/ Shenzhen Poly Theatre Friday 19 October, Saturday 20 October/ Zhuhai Grand Theatre Thursday 25 October, Friday 26 October
Ticketing information tba.
