On June 7 and 9, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra is throwing a real gala party to end its centennial anniversary celebration, with an opera gala and performance of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, conducted by Gabriel Feltz (Kolarac, 7 PM). As this operatic spectacle with a world-class cast is in high demand, an additional performance has been scheduled for June 9. Tickets will be available from May 30 at the Philharmonic box office and online.

This grandiose centennial celebration will culminate with an equally grand finale. Following one of the previous season’s biggest successes— the performance of the opera Tosca—the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra takes on a new challenge, staying within Giacomo Puccini’s opus and joining the global celebration of the centenary of the famous composer’s death. The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will present a semi-staged version of Madama Butterfly, a story of tragic, unreturned love depicting the clash of two worlds, East and West, at the beginning of the 20th century.

Chief-conductor Gabriel Feltz will lead a world-class cast of singers, joined by the Choir of the Serbian public broadcaster Radio Television Serbia, in bringing the roles from Madama Butterfly to life. Soprano Zarina Abaeva will portray the young geisha Cio-Cio-San, while mezzo-soprano Hyona Kim will play her maid Suzuki. Tenor Eduardo Aladrén will sing the role of the U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton, and baritone Mandla Mndebele will take on the role of the American consul Sharpless. 

Under the direction of Aleksandar Nikolić, the audience will experience an extraordinary staging of Japanese atmosphere, complete with a celestial sky and the waves of the sea within the concert hall.