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© In höchsten Tönen
Madama Butterfly: Opera in the Crypt
Vienna, Peterskirche — Krypta
About the Event
Get ready for a magnificent occasion in the captivating city of Vienna. The highly anticipated event will be held in the stunning Peterskirche venue.
Prepare yourself to witness the powerful tragedy transformed into a masterpiece of opera — 'Madama Butterfly'. This intense operatic chamber play, written by the talented Giacomo Puccini, beautifully captures genuine emotions. Puccini's profound curiosity for all things exotic and his deep understanding of human nature have inspired him to create an opera of eternal beauty.
In this slightly condensed version, the timeless work of the century will be performed just as the composer himself did, accompanied by a piano. This raw and unfiltered experience will be delivered directly and intensely to the audience. Brace yourself for an unforgettable, compelling journey.
OPER in der KRYPTA, known as Austria's smallest opera theater, guarantees captivating performances that are characterized by their authenticity and quality. The ensemble's commitment to honest opera theater ensures that you will fully appreciate and recognize the essence of the piece.
Indulge in this extraordinary experience in the soothing warmth of the crypt, regardless of the time of year.
Storyline:
Pinkerton, an American lieutenant, enters into a marriage during his vacation in Japan with the young geisha Cio‐Cio‐San, whose love for him is sincere. The consul Sharpless warns Pinkerton against plunging the girl into misfortune. She changes her religion for him and is cursed by her family. The only support she has left is her new husband.
Three years have passed since Pinkerton's return to his homeland. However, Cio‐Cio‐San is still waiting for him faithfully and patiently in her little house. Sharpless seeks her out to read her the contents of Pinkerton's letter. He has married an American woman and announces that he will be visiting Japan with his wife. Horrified, Cio‐Cio‐San presents their son, of whom no one has ever heard. Then a cannon shot announces the arrival of Pinkerton's ship. Full of anticipation and hoping that her husband will find his way back to her, she and her servant Suzuki decorate the small house with flowers. She stays awake all night and awaits her beloved.
Hesitantly, Pinkerton comes up the hill with Sharpless the next morning. When Suzuki goes to call Cio‐Cio‐San, however, she discovers his American wife and learns that they have only come to adopt their son, which Sharpless has since told him about. Pinkerton is too cowardly to look his wife in the face for a while. When Cio‐Cio‐San sees the strange woman, she realizes the terrible truth. She agrees to give the child to the father and bids a fond farewell to her little one. She commits suicide with her father's dagger, whose engraved words 'Let him die with honor who can no longer live with honor' she memorizes.
Practical Information
The 'Opera in the Crypt' series is a unique form of presenting opera at its very essence. With piano accompaniment, talented singers in costumes perform the works in the exceptional, intimate atmosphere of the crypt under St. Peter's Church. Through the short distance between audience and musicians you can experience opera in a way you have never heard or seen it before.
Program
- Giacomo Puccini – Madama Butterfly
Cast / Production
Cio‐Cio‐San: Katharina Gebauer
Suzuki: Cornelia Sonnleithner
Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton: Sergio Tallo‐Torres
Sharpless: Florian Pejrimovsky
Musical direction – Ekaterina Nokkert
Peterskirche
The Peterskirche (St Peter’s Church) is the second-oldest church in Vienna, founded around 800AD, if legend is to be believed. The present church was built in 1732 in the Baroque style, with Vienna's first baroque dome. Inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the interior is adorned with frescoes, sculptures, golden altarpieces and carved wood. Peterskirche is one of Vienna's busiest classical music venues, featuring a diverse program that includes daily organ concerts, operas, choral concerts and performances by prominent local and international artists. In addition to performances in the elegant main sanctuary, the Peterskirche also hosts concerts in the fascinating and intimate crypt below ground level.
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini was an Italian opera composer of the late 19th century. He was considered one of the greatest composers of the Italian Opera, second only to Verdi. His early works were characterised by features of the traditional 19th century romantic Italian opera. Later, his style developed into the realistic verismo style, which inspired him to write his most famous masterpieces and became one of the leading exponents of the style. His most renowned works La bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904), and Turandot (1924), all are popular operas played in the most prestigious venues of the classical world.
Address
Peterskirche, Petersplatz, Vienna, Austria — Google Maps
