Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Huang Ruo鈥檚 M. Butterfly

David Henry Hwang鈥檚 M. Butterfly metamorphoses into music theatre as Huang Ruo鈥檚 operatic reworking takes wing. The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra, 麻豆社 Singers, conducted by Carolyn Kuan.

(Recorded at the Barbican on 25th October 2024)
Presented by Ian Skelly.

Huang Ruo: M. Butterfly

Kangmin Justin Kim (Countertenor) Song Liling
Mark Stone (Baritone) Ren茅 Gallimard
Fleur Barron (Mezzo-Soprano) Comrade Chin/Shu Fung
Charne Rochford (Tenor) Marc
Kevin Burdette (Bass) Manuel Toulon/Judge
麻豆社 Singers
麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra
Kimberly Prescott (director)
Carolyn Kuan (conductor)

A smash-hit Broadway play turned movie, David Henry Hwang鈥檚 M. Butterfly metamorphoses into music theatre as the UK premiere of Huang Ruo鈥檚 operatic reworking takes wing.

Love, betrayal, self-deception. The themes of M. Butterfly intertwine with those of Puccini鈥檚 achingly tragic opera; but here they鈥檙e ingeniously upended as the action is relocated to Paris and Mao鈥檚 China. Nothing is quite what it seems. Stereotypes are challenged, power struggles realigned.

This production contains graphic language and a depiction of self-harm.

Release date:

3 hours, 28 minutes

Broadcast

  • Saturday 18:00