Ukrainian National Opera presents Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

For the first time ever the Ukrainian National Opera® is touring the UK from 9 February to 5 April 2023. Coming all the way from Dnipro, Ukraine, this opera company, featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live orchestra comprising over thirty musicians, will première the timeless Madama Butterfly opera this season.

If you’ve never tried opera before you will love the full orchestra experience with brand new settings and fantastic costumes, along with exquisite singing and wonderful tunes that you will be humming to yourself all the way home.

Set in Japan at the turn of the last century, no opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of the doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride, whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy. Though infinitely sad, the compelling tale of Madama Butterfly remained Puccini’s favourite opera – his supreme theatrical achievement also gave the world its most sublime and beautiful arias in history – One Fine Day and Love Duet, as well as the Humming Chorus, which has been popular with opera-goers for over a century. This opera will be sung in original language with English surtitles.

One of the most colourful and exotic yet tragic operas

The Ukrainian Opera from Dnipro is especially worth seeing as their creative development has moved forward in recent years, mastering and popularising the world’s classical music heritage and turning to the works of modern composers, music of the 20th century, and in particular the Ukrainian classics.

Producer, Alexej Ignatow of Amande Concerts Ltd. said: ‘We are really excited to be presenting this opera company to UK audiences in these difficult times. The journey has been extremely challenging, but I am glad we have overcome the many extraordinary obstacles and have now received all the necessary visas and clearances for the Ukrainian artists. The cast has been rehearsing vigorously over the last five weeks, and will continue to do so until the very moment when they will be leaving for the UK. We in the production office are now fully focussed on marketing these operas and raising awareness. We hope to see you very soon at one of our venues!’

Madama Butterfly comes to Dunstable Grove Theatre on Wednesday 22 March. Tickets from www.grovetheatre.co.uk/madama-butterfly-i3805.