Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle (stage director), Herbert von Karajan (conductor) – With Mirella Freni (Butterfly), Plácido Domingo (F. B. Pinkerton), Christa Ludwig (Suzuki)...
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
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 Plácido 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…
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