Last night, Friday 20th of December, I had the immense pleasure of attending the season-opening performance of Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Municipale di Piacenza. To say it was an event would be an understatement. This theater holds a special place in my heart—it’s a space where Italian tradition, passion, and the spirit of Giuseppe Verdi are almost tangible in the air. Ever since I first experienced an unforgettable Otello here in 2023, Piacenza has felt like a second home.
It was also here that I met my dear friends from the Opera Libera Instagram account. Before the performance, we shared a delightful meal at a traditional Italian butcher’s restaurant—a true slice of local charm. And through them, I had the extraordinary honor of meeting the legendary Leo Nucci, who directed this production.
For those unfamiliar with him, Leo Nucci isn’t just a celebrated baritone—he’s an icon of Italian opera. Known worldwide for his definitive portrayals of Rigoletto and countless other roles, Nucci’s career spans decades, with performances on every major operatic stage. His artistic vision and passion for opera are unparalleled, and seeing Madama Butterfly through his eyes was an experience I won’t soon forget.
A Tale of Love, Deception, and Tragedy
The evening’s performance was anchored by two phenomenal leads: Cio-Cio-San and Pinkerton. Their chemistry was both electric and heartbreaking, driving home the devastating emotional core of Puccini’s masterpiece.
Pinkerton interpreted by Angelo Villari remains one of Puccini’s most complex—and infuriating—characters. He embodies betrayal, abuse, and deception, making him one of the most controversial figures in opera. The tenor brought an undeniable charm and vocal brilliance to the role, which only made Pinkerton’s eventual cruelty even harder to bear.
Cio-Cio-San interpreted by Claudia Pavone, on the other hand, was portrayed with heartbreaking sincerity and delicate strength. Her aria “Un bel dì vedremo” resonated deeply, and her final scene left the audience in stunned silence before erupting into thunderous applause.
Matteo Beltrami’s Masterful Direction
The orchestra, under the baton of Matteo Beltrami, delivered a performance that was both sensitive and powerful. The intermezzo, in particular, was breathtaking. I was so completely absorbed in the music—nodding along in time with the sweeping strings—that the person seated behind me had to gently ask me to stop moving! But how could I not be carried away by such a masterful interpretation?
Beltrami captured every nuance of Puccini’s lush and emotive score, balancing the grandeur of the orchestration with the intimacy of the tragic love story unfolding on stage.
An great night
The set design, lighting, and costumes were all beautifully realized, transporting us to early 20th-century Nagasaki with authenticity and grace. Every detail, every gesture, felt carefully considered under Leo Nucci’s direction.
As the curtain fell, the audience rose in a well-deserved standing ovation, applauding not just the cast but the entire creative team that made this evening so unforgettable.
The Teatro Municipale di Piacenza continues to hold its place as one of the jewels of Italian opera, and this performance of Madama Butterfly stands as a shining example of why.
To sum it up: a brilliant cast, masterful conducting, and an unforgettable staging by a living legend. What more could an opera lover ask for?
Grazie, Piacenza. Grazie, Leo Nucci. And above all… Grazie, Puccini!
CASTING
Madama Butterfly / Cio-Cio-San – Claudia Pavone
Suzuki – Irene Savignano
Kate Pinkerton – Eva Corbetta
F.B. Pinkerton – Angelo Villari
Sharpless – Alessandro Luongo
Goro – Manuel Pierattelli
Il Principe Yamadori – Giacomo Leone
Lo zio Bonzo – Mattia Denti
