Love, war and resurrection in Anton Juan's take on 'Madame Butterfly'

MANILA, Philippines - The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), together with MusicArtes Inc., brings to life Giacomo Puccini’s most famous opera Madame Butterfly at the CCP Main Theater with two gala performances on June 22 and 23.

This timeless masterpiece, with the perfect elements of passionate love and the conflict of cultures, features a young rising star in the opera world, soprano Mako Nishimoto, Mexican tenor Dante Alcalá, an accomplished tenor who has performed in 16 different countries worldwide. Madame Butterfly is also blessed with the talents of acclaimed Filipina soprano Camille Lopez Molina and international baritone Andrew Fernando, with Singaporean conductor maestro Lim Yau leading the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Last seen as a full production in Manila in 1994, Madame Butterfly is one of the most-performed operas worldwide imbued with the sublime and beautiful music of Puccini.

Multi-awarded international director Dr. Anton Juan helms this compelling version which fuses both the traditional and contemporary, with maestro Francisco Feliciano as music director.   

In principal roles are top Filipino singers, international choral master Jonathan Velasco, Singapore Lyric Opera performer Lemuel de la Cruz, John Glenn Gaerlan, Nonon Baang, Jun Jaranilla, Fame Flores and members of Viva Voce and graduates of the UP College of Music, UST Conservatory and St. Scholastica’s College. Talented young designer Leeroy New of Lady Gaga fame will execute the set and costumes, with renowned lighting magician John Batalla creating the lights design and video design by emergent artist Pat Valera.

This exceptional production of Madame Butterfly is supported by Toyota Motor Philippines, New World Hotel Manila and Smart Communications.

For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or MusicArtes Inc. at 895-8098, +63918-9085088 and all Ticketworld outlets.