Opera

Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (stage director), Herbert von Karajan (conductor) – With Mirella Freni (Butterfly), Placido Domingo (F. B. Pinkerton), Christa Ludwig (Suzuki)...

Live
Certain chapters are not available.
Thank you for your understanding.

Cast

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle — Stage director

Otto Pischinger — Set designer

Josef Coesfeld — Make-up artist

Gordon Perry — Sound

Annerose Schleining — Assistant director

Mirella Freni — Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)

Plácido Domingo — F. B. Pinkerton, Lieutenant in the United States Navy

Christa Ludwig — Suzuki, her maid

Robert Kerns — Sharpless, United States consul

Michel Sénéchal — Goro, a matchmaker

Giorgio Stendoro — Prince Yamadori

Marius Rintzler — The Bonze

Vienna Philharmonic

Herbert von Karajan — Conductor

Program notes

Discover the cinematic version of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, conducted by the legendary Herbert von Karajan!

The soundtrack was recorded during the film's premiere in 1974, with Karajan joined by stars Mirella Freni, Christa Ludwig, and Placido Domingo. The result is simply sensational: an elegant and voluptuous drama whose striking imagery is complemented by the Vienna Philharmonic's sublime interpretation of the score. From the first meeting of Pinkerton and Cio-Cio-San, with Mirella Freni emerging from the mist singing "Ah ! Quanto cielo" in traditional makeup, we find ourselves transported by this enchanting masterpiece.

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's choice to oppose the two protagonists during the climax of the final act is also a master stroke—as if to underline, through Pinkerton's fleeing, the failure of communication between opposing worlds: East and West, woman and man, reality and dreams. Nevertheless, the film does not end without optimism, as the couple's son Dolore symbolizes the hope for a brighter future…

This is just one of hundreds of stunning operas available on medici.tv, the web's leading classical music streaming platform!

A closer look: featured composers

Further listening: featured works

More info