Madama Butterfly

What was the political impact of one of Puccini’s most popular operas?

At the time he wrote Madama Butterfly, Japan was seen as an emerging power. Modern sensibilities might question the setting and the political message; thus this exquisite score and deeply tragic opera from 100 years ago, (Puccini died in 1924) must be viewed as a ‘problem child’. The talk will detail the history and the political core of Puccini’s opera, then look at how it has become such a major part of the repertoire even though it is difficult to stage in a way that it honours Puccini’s intentions.

Mark Langley, Bath Spa University – as head of Bath Spa University’s School of Music & Performing Arts, Mark’s career outside Higher Education includes directing opera, musical theatre and plays, but also work as a voice and dialect coach for theatre, film and television.