Madama Butterfly
Broken dreams and devastatingly beautiful music
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DATES:March 21 — May 27
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STAGE:Main stage
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RUNNING TIME:approx. 2 hrs 45 mins
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LANGUAGE:Italian, Swedish surtitles
One of two beloved Puccini operas of the 2025/2026 season — Madama Butterfly continues to fascinate audiences. Now in a new version for today's audience!
One of the most beloved classical operas with impeccably beautiful music – but now is the time to dismiss Madama Butterfly’s romantic light. Cio-Cio San is a fifteen-year-old girl who is sold to an American officer, but she dreams of and believes in love until the bitter end.
In director Sofia Adrian Jupither’s version, with its substantial dose of realism, the contrast between gentle music and hard reality becomes a heart-rending experience.
Discover the full story
What really happens in Madama Butterfly? Follow the story of Cio-Cio-San and Pinkerton through three heartbreaking acts. Here you can read a summary of the opera's plot.
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Act 1
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Interval
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Act 2 and 3
Introductions
Ahead of all performances on the main stage a free introduction to the piece for tickets holders takes place in the Golden Foyer 45 minutes before the performance starts!
Introductions & talks
In connection with the premiere on March 21, all ticket holders are welcome to a free talk in the Golden Foyer at 6 p.m. where the team presents their thoughts on Madama Butterfly. Participating are Sofia Adrian Jupither (director), Maria Geber (costumes), Erlend Birkeland (scenography), Ellen Ruge (light) and Emi Stahl (video) as well as curators Petra Holmberg and Helga Janse from the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. The conversation will mainly focus on the production but also provide historical perspectives on prostitution in Nagasaki and Japonism in art. The moderator is Katarina Aronsson.
On other performance days, a free introduction to the piece takes place in the Golden Foyer 45 minutes before the performance starts!
Performance images
Talk ahead of Madama Butterfly - how do we play classics today?
Puccini's Madama Butterfly from 1904 is one of the opera world's most beloved works. How should we interpret and portray classics today? A conversation about concepts, stereotypes and the role of art in society. With Sofia Adrian Jupither (director), Tobias Hübinette (PhD in Koreanology and Associate Professor in Intercultural Education), Tobias Theorell (artistic opera) and Katarina Aronsson (dramaturge).
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Cast
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Music & creative team
Music Giacomo Puccini
Libretto Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, after David Belasco
Conductor Daniel Carter
Director Sofia Adrian Jupither
Scenography Erlend Birkeland
Costumes Maria Geber
Light Ellen Ruge
Video Emi Stahl
Dramaturge Katarina Aronsson
Translation Nenne Runsten
Chorus master Jori Klomp
Intimacy Coordinator Malin B Erikson
Cast subject to change.
* student at the Stockholm University of Arts, opera
Your visit to the Opera
Frequesntly asked questions
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At what time do I have to be at the Opera before the performance?
We recommend that you arrive at least half an hour before the performance begins. If you can arrive earlier, it's even better: 45 minutes before the start of the performance, there is a free audience introduction in the Golden Foyer - an excellent way to approach the performance! Please note that once the performance has started, no one will be allowed into the hall until after the first intermission.
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It's my first time at the Opera - what do I do?
We have put together some useful tips for your visit. Otherwise, our best advice is to arrive on time - discover the Opera House, leave your coat in the cloakroom, eat or drink something. AND, ask our ushers - they'll be happy to help! Outerwear and bags should be left in the cloakroom for safety and evacuation reasons.
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Can my ticket be rebooked or cancelled if I or someone in my party is ill?
You can rebook tickets yourself on the website up to 24 hours before the start of the performance within the the current season. Tickets cannot be cancelled (read more in our general terms and conditions).
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Can you eat and drink at the Opera?
Of course you can! Our partner Restaurang Grodan is on the ground floor facing Strömgatan - take the opportunity to book a table ahead of your visit! Each floor also has a service with drinks and snacks, at the stalls' café there is a slightly larger selection. We advice you to pre-book the intermission service so it is ready and waiting for you during the interval!
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