Since Musica Viva’s début opera production of one of the world’s most successful and popular opera Puccini’s Madama Butterfly in 2009, Musica Viva is presenting a brand-new production of this much-loved favourite as a celebration of Musica Viva’s 10th Anniversary. Four performances will be staged in the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall from 7th – 9th December 2018.

Madama Butterfly is a love story as old as time. Enchanted by the quaint customs of the East, American naval officer Pinkerton takes a young geisha girl for his wife. Butterfly falls deeply in love, believing her marriage as a lifetime commitment while Pinkerton treats it as a temporary arrangement for his fleeting pleasure. He goes home with his ship, leaving Butterfly behind. She gives birth to his child. Three years have passed, she waits faithfully for his return with unwavering hope, only to find herself betrayed and abandoned. Her dream shattered, Butterfly scarifies her own life to preserve her honour.

This production will be conducted by the world-renowned young maestro Lio Kuokman, a prize-winning conductor nurtured in Hong Kong and trained in the United States, who is currently enjoying a brilliant international career. The staging of the opera will be executed by Hong Kong’s own prolific and original creative theatre director Lo Kingman, long recognised and respected internationally for his refined and exquisite interpretations of great masterpieces.

These performances feature two first rate international casts with all the oriental character sung by Asian artists with all the western roles undertaken by American singer. Muscia Viva has engaged two international top-ranking young Korean sopranos, Sylvia Lee Sung-eun and Myung-Joo Lee, to sing two performances each in this production. Sylvia is a world-famous high coloratura soprano who has begun to sing lyrical-dramatic roles recently after joining the Metropolitan Opera of New York. Myung-Joo Lee achieved sensational success in the role of Butterfly starring in the renowned Royal Albert Hall of London production.

Taking the role of the American naval officer Pinkerton are two fine American tenors who are well known respectively throughout the US and Germany, Dominick Chenes and Jeffrey Hartman.

“Among the 200+ production that I have directed internationally, Madama Butterfly is the work I returned to most frequently, staging it in Hong Kong, Mainland, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Spain and the States. Altogether over 150 professional artists, singers, musicians, choristers and theatre practitioners will collaborate on bringing this moving tragic story of exceptional beauty for your enjoyment and appreciation,” concluded by Director and Producer Prof Lo.

Events Details

Date & Time:
7-9 December 2018 (Fri – Sun), 7:45pm
9 Dec 2018 (Sun), 2:30pm

Tickets are available now at URBTIX: https://ticket.urbtix.hk/internet/eventDetail/36751

Further Information

Please visit our website: musicavivahk.org
Or contact Roy Cheung at roychueng@musciavivahk.org