New Year's Eve
Madama Butterfly
Sydney Opera House31 December 2025
New Year's Eve
Madama Butterfly
Sydney Opera House31 December 2025
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Venue
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney
Language
Performed in Italian with English surtitles.
Running Time
Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one interval for the 9pm fireworks.
Please note
This production contains adult themes.
Book a multi-show package and save up to 20%*
Combine this production with one or more shows in the 2026 Season and become a Season Subscriber. You’ll unlock a ticket discount, priority booking, and free ticket exchanges, among other exclusive benefits.
Please note
For those without tickets to the Midnight Party, a limited number of outdoor viewing areas will be accessible after the performance. These areas are subject to capacity limits and access cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that while the midnight fireworks may be visible from the Sydney Opera House Foyers, views are partially obstructed and may not include the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Dress up to the nines, kick up your heels and prepare for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at the Sydney Opera House.
Experience an unforgettable countdown to midnight under the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House, with a performance of the eternally popular Madama Butterfly.
Cio-Cio-San dreams of a bigger life. Pinkerton is a man who sees only a butterfly, something he can capture and keep. His callous pursuit ripples into sweeping tragedy.
This award-winning production is timeless. Tiny candles glimmer among floating flowers in a real onstage moat. Sliding paper panels reveal and conceal the secrets everyone is keeping. Sumptuous, colourful costumes are inspired by Japanese traditional dress.
Complete your glamorous night out with a three-course, pre-show dinner overlooking the spectacular harbour or tickets to one of Sydney’s most fabulous midnight parties.
Package Options
Add the pre-performance dinner and/or the Midnight Party when you book your tickets to Madama Butterfly on New Year's Eve.
Pre-Performance Dinner
*SOLD OUT*
Look out over Sydney Harbour as you dine on a three-course menu, matched with premium wines and beverages in the Northern Foyer from 5:30pm.
Price does not include performance ticket.
Midnight Party
$499
Canapés, drinks and live entertainment, in the Northern Foyer with views of the spectacular midnight fireworks on Sydney Harbour.
Price does not include performance ticket.
Please note that while the midnight fireworks may be visible from the Sydney Opera House Foyers, views are partially obstructed and may not include the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Cast & Creative
Conductor
Director
Set & Costume Designers
Lighting Designer
Movement & Revival Director
Cio-Cio-San
Suzuki
Pinkerton
Sharpless
Goro
Bonze
Kate Pinkerton
Yamadori
Commissioner
Registrar
Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus
Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne (2015)
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne (2015)
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne (2015)
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne (2015)
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne (2015)
Photographer: Jeff Busby
Synopsis
ACT I
On a terrace above Nagasaki harbour, US Navy Lieutenant B F Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro, who has procured for him a geisha wife known as Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San). To the American Consul, Sharpless, who arrives breathless from climbing the hill, Pinkerton describes his carefree philosophy of a sailor roaming the world in search of pleasure. For the moment, he is enchanted with the fragile Cio-Cio-San and intends to undergo a marriage ceremony with her – a 999-year contract, but subject to monthly renewal. When Sharpless warns that the girl may not take her vows so lightly, the lieutenant brushes aside such scruples, adding that he will one day take a 'real' American wife.
Cio-Cio-San is heard in the distance joyously singing of her wedding day. After she has entered, surrounded by her friends, she tells Pinkerton how, when her family fell on hard times, she had to earn her living as a geisha. Soon her relatives arrive and noisily express their opinions of the marriage. In a quiet moment, Cio-Cio-San shows the bridegroom her little store of possessions, one of which she hides from public view. Goro explains that it is a sheathed knife which the Mikado sent to Butterfly's father, with the 'invitation' to commit hara-kiri – which he obeyed. Butterfly confesses to Pinkerton that she, on the previous evening, secretly went to the Mission and adopted the religion of her new husband.
The wedding ceremony completed, the guests toast the couple. Suddenly Cio-Cio-San's uncle, a priest, bursts upon the scene, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors' religion. Pinkerton angrily orders priest and family to leave.
Alone with his bride, he dries her tears in the moonlit garden, where they discover the depths of their love.
ACT II
Three years later, Cio-Cio-San still waits for her husband's return. Suzuki prays to her gods for aid. The maid shows Cio-Cio-San how little money is left but is told to have faith: one fine day Pinkerton's ship will appear on the horizon.
Sharpless is announced. He has not seen her again since the wedding, and Butterfly receives him with joy. He has come with a letter from Pinkerton asking him tactfully to inform Butterfly of his marriage with an American woman, but his attempts to tell her the contents of the letter are frustrated by her constant questions about Pinkerton. Had Pinkerton not said that he would return 'in the season when the robins are nesting?' In Japan, she remarks, 'the robins have already nested three times, but perhaps in America these birds behave differently?' 'I never studied ornithology', replies Sharpless.
Goro, who has been lurking outside, brings in a suitor for her hand. The girl dismisses the wealthy Prince Yamadori, insisting that her American husband has not deserted her. When they are alone, Sharpless again starts to read her the letter and suggests as tactfully as he can that Pinkerton may never return. Cio-Cio-San proudly shows him her child, insisting that as soon as Pinkerton knows of his son he will surely come back, though if he does not she would rather die than return to her former life. Moved by her devotion and lacking the heart to tell her of the lieutenant's marriage, Sharpless leaves.
Cio-Cio-San, on the point of despair, hears a cannon report; and watches Pinkerton's ship entering the harbour. Delirious with joy, she orders Suzuki to help her strew the house with flower petals. Then, as night falls, Cio-Cio-San, Suzuki and the child begin their vigil, awaiting Pinkerton's arrival.
As dawn breaks, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San rests. Humming a lullaby to her child, she carries him to another room.
Knocking is heard: it is Pinkerton and Sharpless, with Pinkerton's wife, Kate, remaining discreetly outside. They have come, they explain to the startled Suzuki, so early in the morning in the hope of finding her alone and of enlisting her support in persuading Butterfly to accept Kate's offer to adopt the child. Pinkerton, overcome with remorse, bids an anguished farewell to the scene of his former happiness and rushes away.
Meanwhile Suzuki has gone into the garden to speak to Kate and, moved by her sincerity, she promises to convey to her mistress her offer to adopt the child. Butterfly rushes into the room in joyful expectation to find Pinkerton, but is taken aback when she sees only Sharpless and a foreign lady. She takes only a moment to guess the truth. She agrees to give up her child if the father will return for him. Then, she takes forth the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Just as she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Tearfully she bids him a last farewell. With solemn ritual, she stabs herself as Pinkerton's anxious cries 'Butterfly! Butterfly!' are heard from outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
We strongly recommend public transport and allowing extra time. Significant road closures and large crowds are expected.
- No direct public transport to Circular Quay after 3pm
- No vehicle access to the Sydney Opera House Wilson Car Park
- We recommend travelling to Martin Place, then walking via Macquarie Street
All patrons must enter via the official event entrance at the corner of Macquarie Street and Phillip Lane.
- All tickets will be scanned and wristbands issued at this entrance
- Expect a 900m walk to the theatre through security checkpoints
Click here for full details about public transport, road closures and parking, or, plan your trip with Transport NSW.
If you have difficulty with stairs or walking distances, or require assistance, please contact the Sydney Opera House to discuss before the event: (02) 9250 7777.
Accessible buggy transport from the corner of Macquarie Street and Bent Street to the theatre must be pre-booked by emailing accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com.
For city-wide transport assistance on the night, contact the Sydney New Year’s Eve Accessibility Officer: (02) 9265 9333.
We encourage you to dress up and make a special night of it! A cloak room is available if you wish to check your items.
Safety & conditions of entry
- Bags and personal items will be subject to inspection or x-ray screening
- This is a fully licensed event — no food or drink may be brought in
- Large bags, umbrellas and bulky items must be cloaked
Read more about visiting the Sydney Opera House on New Year’s Eve.
Please note
For those without tickets to the Midnight Party, a limited number of outdoor viewing areas will be accessible after the performance. These areas are subject to capacity limits and access cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that while the midnight fireworks may be visible from the Sydney Opera House Foyers, views are partially obstructed and may not include the Sydney Harbour Bridge.