After having recorded La Fanciulla del West (The Maiden of the West), conductor Lawrence Foster now expands his Puccini discography on Pentatone with Madama Butterfly. Together with the Coro & Orquestra Gulbenkian, as well as Elisabeth Kulman (Suzuki), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Lester Lynch (Sharpless) and Melody Moore (Cio-Cio-San) in the title role.

Despite its disastrous premiere, Madama Butterfly has become one of Puccini’s most successful and popular operas. While the Japanese ambience often captures the attention, the original dramatic conception and exceptional symphonic qualities of the work are often overlooked. Lawrence Foster’s interpretation brings out the symphonic character of the opera, while Melody Moore’s charismatic interpretation of the title role fully realizes the work’s tragic and dramatic potential.

Vocalists
Melody Moore, Soprano – Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San)
Stefano Secco, Tenor – Pinkerton (Lieutenant in the US Navy)
Elisabeth Kulman, Mezzo-Soprano – Suzuki (Cio-Cio-San’s Servant)
Lester Lynch, Baritone – Sharpless (US Consul at Nagasaki)
Alexander Kaimbacher, Tenor – Goro (Marriage Broker)
Kevin Short, Bass-Baritone – Lo Zio Bonzo (Cio-Cio-San’s Uncle)
Amitai Pati, Tenor – Il Principe Yamadori
Liesbeth Devos, Soprano – Kate Pinkerton
Florian Köfler, Bass – Il Commissario Imperiale
Jorge Leiria, Tenor – L’Ufficiale del registro (The Notary)
Tiago Batista, Bass – Lo Zio Yakusidé (Cio-Cio-San’s Uncle)
Cecília Rodrigues, Mezzo-Soprano – La Madre (Cio-Cio-San’s Mother)
Filipa Passos, Soprano – La Zia (Cio-Cio-San’s Aunt)
Sara Marques, Soprano – La Cugina (Cio-Cio-San’s Cousin)

Coro Gulbenkian
Chorus Master: Jorge Matta

Orquestra Gulbenkian
Concertmaster: Maaria Leino
Assistant Conductor: Clelia Cafiero

Conducted by Lawrence Foster

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