Poster of Madama Butterfly

Madama Butterfly

Plot: 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
Release Date: Saturday, September 14 1974
50 years ago
Scroll to Crew

Cast

Portrait of Mirella FreniMirella Freni
Mirella Freni was
39 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly'.
Wed, Feb 27 1935 –
Sun, Feb 09 2020
Portrait of Plácido DomingoPlácido Domingo
Plácido Domingo was
33 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Pinkerton'.
Tue, Jan 21 1941
Portrait of Robert KernsRobert Kerns
Robert Kerns was
41 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Sharpless'.
Thu, Jun 08 1933 –
Wed, Feb 15 1989
Portrait of Christa LudwigChrista Ludwig
Christa Ludwig was
46 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Suzuki'.
Fri, Mar 16 1928 –
Sat, Apr 24 2021
Portrait of Michel SénéchalMichel Sénéchal
Michel Sénéchal was
47 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Goro'.
Fri, Feb 11 1927 –
Sun, Apr 01 2018
Portrait of Marius RintzlerMarius Rintzler
Marius Rintzler was
>> in Madama Butterfly
as 'Bonze'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Hans HelmHans Helm
Hans Helm was
>> in Madama Butterfly
as 'Comisario imperial'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Elke ScharyElke Schary
Elke Schary was
>> in Madama Butterfly
as 'Kate Pinkerton'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Herbert von KarajanHerbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan was
66 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Self - Conductor'.
Sun, Apr 05 1908 –
Sun, Jul 16 1989

Crew

Portrait of Jean-Pierre PonnelleJean-Pierre Ponnelle
Jean-Pierre Ponnelle was
42 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Director'
Fri, Feb 19 1932 –
Thu, Aug 11 1988
Portrait of Giuseppe GiacosaGiuseppe Giacosa
Giuseppe Giacosa would have been no older than
58 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Writer'
Thu, Oct 21 1847 –
Sun, Sep 02 1906
Portrait of Luigi IllicaLuigi Illica
Luigi Illica would have been no older than
62 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Writer'
Sat, May 09 1857 –
Tue, Dec 16 1919
Portrait of Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini would have been no older than
65 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Music'
Wed, Dec 22 1858 –
Sat, Nov 29 1924
Portrait of David BelascoDavid Belasco
David Belasco would have been no older than
77 in Madama Butterfly
as 'Novel'
Mon, Jul 25 1853 –
Thu, May 14 1931