Thanks to the support of the Italian Consulate General in Bahia Blanca and the collaboration developed with the organisation of artists from southern Argentina OAS-Organizzazione degli Artisti del Sud argentino, the Italian Cultural Institute in Buenos Aires, the local Municipality and the Bahia Blanca Theatre brought Italian opera back to the entire district of Argentinean Patagonia.
“Madama Butterfly” was staged for three evenings at the Municipal Theatre of Bahia Blanca, on 1, 3 and 5 October, as part of the centenary commemorations of Giacomo Puccini’s death. To mark the 120th anniversary of the opera’s first performance, the artistic curators chose to stage the version presented at La Scala in Milan in 1904. With Puccini’s opera, the OAS also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the creation of the organisation’s permanent choir, which was involved in the event.
Starring the OAS Permanent Orchestra and Choir, as well as guest singers, the performance involved more than 100 performers on stage, and offered the opportunity to experience the painful history and exquisite musical composition of the early 20th century. In addition, two interdisciplinary round tables for reflection and debate were held under the title “The Political, Social and Cultural Dimension of Madama Butterfly”.
“Madama Butterfly” is a tragic story set in Japan and told through the perspective of Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese woman whose life is intertwined with that of an American naval officer. The opera stands out not only for its musical beauty, but also for its ability to evoke deep emotions and reflections on asymmetrical relationships mediated by domination, deception, abandonment and dispossession of life.
