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Puccini’s eternally popular Madama Butterfly is a profoundly moving experience. The yearning score soars to incredible heights (Cio-Cio-San’s dazzling Un bel di) and offers moments of exquisite stillness (the Humming Chorus).
Moffatt Oxenbould’s award-winning production is timeless. Tiny candles glimmer among floating flowers in a real onstage moat. Sliding paper panels reveal and conceal the secrets everyone is keeping. Sumptuous, colourful costumes are inspired by Japanese traditional dress. It’s a serene, stunning backdrop for the unfolding emotional turmoil.
Extraordinary singers draw every ounce of emotion out of the passionate score, led by conductors Andrea Battistoni, Erina Yashima and Paul Fitzsimon. Four emerging international stars make their Australian debuts. Sopranos Guanqun Yu and Vittoria Yeo have performed all over Europe and America and now share the role of Cio-Cio-San at the Sydney Opera House along with Australian star Olivia Cranwell. La Scala-trained tenor Oreste Cosimo and versatile young American tenor Robert Watson sing the role of Pinkerton.
This is a must-see production of a must-see opera (back by popular demand) featuring must-see singers — a bucket list performance you’ll remember forever.
2hr 40min. Incl. 1 interval.
3rd January, 2026
25th March, 2026
Step-free access with lifts and wheelchair seating, accessible bathrooms across multiple levels, assistive listening, captioned and audio-described performances, and registered service animals are welcome throughout the Sydney Opera House.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sydney Opera House is short six-minute walk from Circular Quay, with frequent trains, buses and ferries. An accessible shuttle also operates between Circular Quay and the venue for those who require assistance.
BY BICYCLE: Bike parking is available beneath the Monumental Steps.
BY CAR: Parking is available at Wilson Parking Sydney Opera House Car Park, open 24/7 with undercover access to the Lower Concourse. Accessible parking spaces are also available on site.
★★★★ “A beautiful and moving experience" - Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ “Superb from beginning to end in every respect" - BACHTRACK
“A production that deserves to be seen again and again.” - AussieTheatre.com
Conductor: Andrea Battistoni (3-24 Jan & 7-14 Mar), Paul Fitzsimon (29 Jan-4 Feb & 18-25 Mar), Erina Yashima (7 Feb–3 Mar)
Director: Moffatt Oxenbould AM
Set & Costume Designers: Russell Cohen and Peter England
Lighting Designer: Robert Bryan
Movement & Revival Director: Matthew Barclay
CAST
Cio-Cio-San: Guanqun Yu (3 Jan–4 Feb), Vittoria Yeo (7 Feb–7 Mar),Olivia Cranwell (11–25 Mar)
Suzuki: Sian Sharp (3 Jan–4 Feb),Angela Hogan (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Pinkerton: Robert Watson (3 Jan–4 Feb), Oreste Cosimo (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Sharpless: Samuel Dundas (3 Jan–4 Feb), Luke Gabbedy (7 Feb–7 Mar), Warwick Fyfe (11–25 Mar)
Goro: Virgilio Marino (3 Jan–4 Feb), Michael Petruccelli (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Bonze: David Parkin (3 Jan–4 Feb), Gennadi Dubinsky (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Kate Pinkerton: Jane Ede (3 Jan–4 Feb), Chelsea Burns (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Yamadori: Leon Vitogiannis (3 Jan–4 Feb), Alexander Hargreaves (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus