Opera Australia brings Madame Butterfly to MAC

Published on 16 July 2018

Opera Australia (OA) brings John Bell’s highly acclaimed production of Puccini’s classic Madame Butterfly to Mildura Arts Centre this month

Directed by one of Australia’s greatest theatrical minds, this year’s production features some of OA’s finest singers.

Chinese-born Sharon Zhai will make her OA debut in the role of Cio-Cio-San, also known as Madame Butterfly, which she will share with rising star, Danita Weatherstone.

Matthew Reardon will also make his OA debut as Pinkerton, a Lieutenant in the U.S Navy, and will share the part with Martin Buckingham who reprises the role with OA.

Regarded as the world’s most popular opera and the inspiration for the musical Miss Saigon, Madame Butterfly tells the tale of two lovers separated between culture, oceans and time.

The vibrant visual display of the production is coloured further by Puccini's magnificent score, including the famous ‘Humming Chorus’ and heartbreaking ‘One Fine Day’, which is performed with an 11-piece chamber orchestra conducted by Warwick Stengårds.

Mildura Rural City Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said OA is touring the full production of Madame Butterfly for people living in remote and regional areas to experience the opera in their own town.  

“It is fantastic to have Opera Australia coming to Mildura and sharing high quality production with the Sunraysia community,” Cr Modica said.

OA’s national performances not only provide an opportunity for residents of Mildura to attend the opera, but also for younger locals to become involved in the production through the Children’s Chorus program.

“This is such an amazing opportunity for our local school children to perform on stage with Opera Australia. The choir are busy rehearsing so they will be ready for the performance. They are so excited,” local choir leader Andrea Soebardi said.

Over the last four years, OA has had more than 1,500 children involved in Children’s Choruses across the country and that number is set to grow even higher this year.

Under the direction of Regional Children’s Chorus Master Joshua van Konkelenberg, children are selected by local choir leaders and learn the music from Madame Butterfly before donning costumes and joining the OA artists on stage as part a performing troupe from the world’s third-busiest opera company.

OA’s Artistic Director, Lyndon Terracini is passionate about introducing opera to new audiences and offering Australians across the country the chance to experience opera performances by Australia’s national opera company.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this captivating production of Madame Butterfly to audiences this year,” Mr Terracini said.

“It is a privilege to have such a high calibre cast and artistic team at the helm, including some of our best local and international artists, as well as internationally acclaimed conductor Warwick Stengårds who joins us from Vienna, and the iconic John Bell. This show will absolutely blow audiences away.”

Mildura Arts Centre and Opera Australia present

Madame Butterfly

Puccini

7.30pm, Tuesday 31 July

Mildura Arts Centre

Tickets: (03) 5018 8330 I milduraartscentre.com.au

Please contact Helen Piscioneri at Mildura Arts Centre at [email protected] or on (03) 5018 8330 for more information, images and bios.