Australia Dancing - Madame Butterfly (1995

Madame Butterfly (1995 - )

Gould, Ross: Vicki Attard in Stanton Welch's 'Madame Butterfly', the Australian Ballet, 1995

Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly received its world premiere performance in Melbourne at the State Theatre, Victorian Arts Centre, on 24 February 1995. Commisioned by the Australian Ballet, the opening night cast featured Vicki Attard as Madame Butterfly, Miranda Coney as Suzuki, Steven Heathcote as Lieutenant Pinkerton, Justine Summers as Kate, and Adam Marchant as Sharpless. The work was danced to Puccini's music arranged for the ballet by John Lanchbery. Designs were by Peter Farmer and the work was lit by William Akers.

Since its premiere Madame Butterfly has been restaged on several occasions by the Australian Ballet, most recently in 1998. It is also in the repertoire of many companies around the world including Atlanta Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Royal New Zealand Ballet and Singapore Dance Theatre.

The choreographer's program notes for the world premiere season stated: 'I have tried to follow closely the opera's storyline, changing only what I thought necessary to achieve the same dramatic effect through movement ... I would like to dedicate this ballet to Maina Gielgud through whose determination and encouragement I was lucky enough to have this opportunity. I would also like to thank ... my father for the passion that burns in my soul'.

Research Materials

Ephemera | Oral history | Picture | All

Other resources

Find more about Madame Butterfly in:

Internet - Google
Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
Pictures - Picture Australia