Cultural event — Rehearsal

WORK SESSION: Madama Butterfly

09 Sep. 2024

  • Opéra Bastille

Enter the heart of the creation and discover the artists at work!
The Paris National Opera offers Arop members the privilege of observing the work of the artists and the genesis of a production at different times: work sessions, pre-dress rehearsals and dress rehearsals.

Madama Butterfly


Poor Madame Butterfly! The 15-year-old geisha, who has renounced her family and Japanese traditions for the love of an American naval officer, finds herself abandoned in favour of a Western wife. Giacomo Puccini used this classic theme of a woman seduced and abandoned to create an opera with lush orchestration and burning lyricism.

Premiered in 1904 at La Scala Milan, his score, full of oriental colours, vividly conveys the contrast between Lieutenant Pinkerton’s brutality and the vulnerability of Butterfly, who is as fragile as a butterfly’s wings.

For Robert Wilson, this Japanese tragedy proves the ideal environment in which to display his signature formalism. Far from the traditional fans and cherry branches, the director uses stylised acting and a stripped-down space to allow the melodic lines to blossom in all their purity.  

Access requirements:

• Absolute discretion so that the artists do not feel the presence of an audience.
• It is forbidden to leave the room during the rehearsal.
• No photography or filming and no applause.
• In case of delay, entry are allowed only during the break.

Any person who does not respect these rules may be refused access to the rehearsals. Work sessions last approximately 3 hours with a 30-minute break for operas and 20 minutes for ballets.

Cancellation policy:

• These sessions may be interrupted or closed to the public at any time for technical or artistic reasons.
• If they are cancelled, the Arop cannot be held responsible for rescheduling your seat.
• In case of withdrawal, please inform us as soon as possible so that members on a waiting list can benefit from the available seats.
• Any cancellation on your part for a rehearsal (work session, pre-general and general), less than 2 working days before the date of the event, will be deducted from the number of places allocated per season.

Booking procedure:

The assignment of rehearsal seats is done by membership level: Founding Patron members have priority over Patron members, who have priority over Benefactor members, who have priority over Donor members, who have priority over Friend members.

  • 19:30

Madame Butterfly (saison 24/25) - Acte 3

1 podcast

[EXTRAIT] MADAME BUTTERFLY de Puccini - "Un bel dì, vedremo" (Eleonora Buratto)

1 video

[EXTRAIT] MADAME BUTTERFLY de Puccini - "Addio, fiorito asil" (Stefan Pop)

1 video

[EXTRAIT] MADAME BUTTERFLY de Puccini - "Vieni, amor mio!" (Eleonora Buratto, Stefan Pop)

1 video

[EXTRAIT] MADAME BUTTERFLY de Giacomo - "Quest'obi pomposa" (Eleonora Buratto, Stefan Pop)

1 video

Madame Butterfly (season 24/25)

25 images