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95% Critic Match
Puccini's Madama Butterfly
“Karajan magnificent in unique treatment of familiar tragedy”
9.5 / 10• 1974• 2h 25m•NR• Italian
MusicHistory
Storyline
Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo, Christa Ludwig, and Robert Kerns star in this Jean-Pierre Ponnelle-directed version of the Puccini opera, with Herbert von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. Madama Butterfly is a staple of the standard operatic repertoire for companies around the world, ranking 7th in the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide.
Cast & Crew
Mirella Freni
Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly
Lead
Plácido Domingo
Pinkerton
RK
Robert Kerns
Sharpless
Christa Ludwig
Suzuki
Michel Sénéchal
Goro
MR
Marius Rintzler
Bonze
HH
Hans Helm
Comisario imperial
ES
Elke Schary
Kate Pinkerton
What People Are Saying
5.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Jean-Pierre Ponnelle's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
5.0
“Every frame feels alive. Puccini's Madama Butterfly is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
