Director
Franco Zeffirelli

Cast
Cio-Cio-San, Madame Butterfly: Fiorenza Cedolins
Suzuki: Francesca Franci
Kate Pinkerton: Mina Blum
B.F. Pinkerton: Marcello Giordani
Sharpless: Juan Pons
Goro, a matchmaker: Carlo Bosi
PrinceYamadori: Alessandro Battiato
The Bonze, Cio-Cio San's uncle: Carlo Striuli
The Imperial Commissioner: Angelo Nardinocchi
Cio-Cio-Sans mother: Veronica Simeoni

The Arena Di Verona Chorus And Orchestra
Daniel Oren (conductor)


A first-rate modern production from Verona in 2004. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, the production is suitably lavish and sumptuous, with the Israeli conductor Daniel Orens leading the orchesta in a top-notch performance. Cedolins and Giordani make for superbly-sung, wholly believable (albeit not so young) leads, while Pons put in a magnificent performance as Sharpless.

Synopsis
While in Japan, Lt. Pinkerton, an American navy officer, falls in love with Cio-cio san, a Japanese woman (whose nickname is, literally the Japanese for 'Madam Butterfly'). Pinkerton has to return to the US but promises Cho-cho san he will return. She has become pregnant and gives birth to a son while Pinkerton is gone; she waits for Pinkerton many years while the boy grows older. Eventually, Pinkerton returns with his American wife in order to take his son to the US. Cio-cio san eventually agrees to give up her son but, her reason for existing now gone, kills herself.