Why opera isn't all tragedies and trauma
22 May 2017
There's more to the art form than doom and gloom, as a number of comic gems prove.
Watch: Uncovering the musical secrets of Puccini's Madama Butterfly
10 April 2017
Antonio Pappano and Ermonela Jaho unpick the opera's famous score with a musical masterclass.
Your Reaction: What did you think of Madama Butterfly live in cinemas?
30 March 2017
Audience reviews of The Royal Opera's live cinema relay of Puccini's masterpiece, starring Ermonela Jaho.
The Butterfly Effect: Why pop culture has embraced Puccini's Madama Butterfly
29 March 2017
Puccini's opera has spawned musicals, rock concept albums and comic books, but what makes it so attractive to artists from other fields?
Puccini's Madama Butterfly musical highlight: ‘Un bel dì vedremo’
28 March 2017
Cio-Cio-San’s much-loved aria is a perfect and painful encapsulation of the tragedy at the opera’s heart.
Your Reaction: What did you think of Puccini's Madama Butterfly 2017?
28 March 2017
Audience reviews of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s elegant Royal Opera production.
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly to be relayed live to cinemas on 30 March 2017
27 March 2017
The opera about a heartbroken Japanese geisha will be conducted by Music Director of The Royal Opera Antonio Pappano and star Ermonela Jaho.
Opera Essentials: Puccini's Madama Butterfly
23 March 2017
Our quick guide to Puccini's heartbreaking opera.
Butterfly’s sanctuary: The long history of Madama Butterfly at the Royal Opera House
20 March 2017
From the opera’s UK premiere in 1905 through to the present day, Puccini’s much-loved opera has a long and close relationship with Covent Garden.
From Moscow to Peking via Nuremburg: how opera uses folk music
15 March 2017
From traditional Japanese folk music to mysterious Spanish popular songs, opera has long been drawing on national music to explore 'exotic' cultures and celebrate national traditions.