Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese bride of U.S. naval officer Pinkerton, found out her romantic idyll shattered when her groom abandoned her shortly after their wedding. But she lived in the hope that one day he would return. Three years later, Cio-Cio-San and her son saw Pinkerton's boat in the harbour. She eagerly anticipated his visit - but when Pinkerton and his American wife Kate learned of their son's existence, they asked to be allowed to take the boy and raise him in America. Cio-Cio-San parted with her son and took her own life.

 

Giacomo Puccini's most popular opera is a work of his greatest creative period, a fascinating waterfall of melodious invention and brilliant mastery of musical drama. The tragic story of a Japanese geisha still moves audiences around the world today.

Première June 21, 2024