Fire. Water. Beauty. Darkness. When love is lost, what is left behind?
Cio-Cio-San dreams of a bigger life. Pinkerton is a man who sees only a butterfly, something he can capture and keep. His callous pursuit ripples into sweeping tragedy.
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.
Cast and Creatives
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
Set & Costume Designers
Lighting Designer
Movement & Revival Director
Intimacy Coordinator
Cultural Consultant
Mayu Iwasaki
Cio-Cio-San
Vittoria Yeo (7 Feb–7 Mar)
Olivia Cranwell (11–25 Mar)
Suzuki
Angela Hogan (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Pinkerton
Oreste Cosimo (7 Feb–25 Mar)
Sharpless
Luke Gabbedy (7 Feb–7 Mar)
Warwick Fyfe (11–25 Mar)
Goro
Bonze
Kate Pinkerton
Yamadori
Commissioner
Registrar
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
Dates
7th February 2026 12:30
11th February 2026 19:30
14th February 2026 19:30
20th February 2026 19:30
25th February 2026 19:30
1st March 2026 14:00
3rd March 2026 19:30
7th March 2026 12:30
11th March 2026 19:30
14th March 2026 19:30
18th March 2026 19:30
20th March 2026 19:30
25th March 2026 19:30