With summer now behind us, it’s time to start planning how we’re going to keep ourselves entertained throughout the cooler, shorter days as we inch towards winter. Now is the perfect time to soak up some cultural experiences and Opera Australia has just the thing with its 2023 production of Madama Butterfly.
The world-renowned opera will be taking over the Sydney Harbour stage from March 24, and is an ideal opportunity to add a little extravagance to your Easter Saturday. A tried and tested experience, the show was declared one of the best outdoor operas performed anywhere in the world after a hugely successful season when it first premiered in 2014.
The critically acclaimed performance explores the devastating themes of love and loss in an east-meets-west drama that has captivated audiences since its inception in 1904. The story follows Cio-Cio San, as she falls in love with a foreign soldier, and her experiences with heartbreak and tragedy as Japanese and American cultures collide. The tale is told through creator Puccini’s incredible score, featuring some of the most well-loved songs in opera since its inception over 120 years ago.
The show will be brought to life right on the harbour, on the annual pop-up stage that started in 2012 and quite literally floats on the water and under the stars—all of which makes for an extraordinary experience whether you’re a seasoned opera attendee or not. The set, depicting a bamboo grove, a giant moon, and rising sun, uses both the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as a backdrop to make the night a breathtaking experience.
Not that you need any more convincing that an evening at Madama Butterfly is guaranteed to be a must-see this season, but there will also be pop-up bars and restaurants serving up custom bites and sips throughout the season, to round out this stunning night on the harbour. There’s also a no-expenses-spared fireworks show to cap off each performance. So if there’s ever a time to get yourself acquainted (or reacquainted) with the opera, Madama Butterfly is it.
For all the details and to lock in your tickets before they sell out, head over here.
THE DETAILS
What: Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour
Where: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
When: 24 March to 23 April, 2023
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Images: supplied.