Northern Ballet bring dance twist to Madame Butterfly in Manchester, 25 Sept

The evergreen tale of love and sacrifice – Madame Butterfly will be brought alive on the Palace Theatre stage by Northern Ballet this September.

Madame Butterfly is directed and choreographed by the company’s Artistic Director, David Nixon who originally created the piece on his wife, Yoko Ichino, the internationally renowned ballerina, who is now Ballet Mistress and Academy Associate Director at Northern Ballet.

Northern Ballet’s Madam Butterfly is based on the original Belasco play that inspired the great opera and premiered at Leeds Grand Theatre in 2002.

This heart-rending tale of love and infidelity, involves a young geisha who marries Lieutenant Pinkerton, a dashing naval officer, only to be abandoned by him while carrying his unborn child. The loyal Butterfly awaits her husband’s return, valiantly raising their son alone in a society which has ostracised her. When Pinkerton eventually returns to Nagaski with his new American wife, Butterfly’s doomed fate and that of her young son are sealed.

The ballet features choreography and design by David Nixon, music by Giacomo Puccini and orchestration by John Longstaff. Ligthing is by Peter Mumford and the scenic design is by Ali Allen.

Northern Ballet’s Madame Butterfly is at the Palace Theatre from 25 – 29 September.