by MK
Madama Butterfly arrives at the Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi on April 2 as part of the theater’s 2025–2026 season, in a staging by Alberto Triola that draws on the early 20th-century aesthetic of Japonisme.
The production situates Puccini’s opera within the cultural context that shaped it, reflecting Trieste’s historic role as a meeting point between Europe and the Far East. Sets and costumes echo that period influence, aligning the visual language of the performance with the era in which the work first gained prominence.
On the podium, Giulio Prandi conducts the opera for the first time. Known for his work in early and Baroque music, he brings a different perspective to Puccini’s score, with its blend of Western orchestration and elements inspired by Japanese musical traditions.
The cast features a mix of established performers and role debuts. Olga Maslova and Vittoria Yeo alternate in the title role, while Antonio Poli and Vasyl Solodky share the role of Pinkerton. The baritone Ambrogio Maestri appears as Sharpless, marking his debut in the role, alongside Luca Galli.
Performances run through April 12, with the orchestra and chorus of the Teatro Verdi. The production offers a renewed look at a central work of the operatic repertory, emphasizing both its historical influences and its continued reinterpretation on contemporary stages.
