Madama Butterfly Returns to Sydney Harbour in 2023

Opera Australia has announced that its Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of Madama Butterfly, which premiered in 2014, will return to the overwater stage at Mrs Macquaries Point in March and April 2023.

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini AM is thrilled to be bringing this production back to Sydney Harbour.

“This production of Madama Butterfly by Spanish Director Alex Ollè is one of the most beautiful operas we’ve performed on the Harbour, so we’re thrilled to be giving people another opportunity to see it in 2023.”

More than 500,000 people from across the globe have attended Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour since its inaugural season in 2012. Attendance at the 2014 premiere season of Madama Butterfly exceeded 42,500, breaking all the previous box office sales.

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly features beautiful melodies, including “Un bel dì vedremo” (One Beautiful Day) and “The Humming Chorus”.

Hospitality and Dining

The custom-built pop-up venue offers a range of dining and drinking options that make the most of the magnificent Harbourside location.

The Platinum Club hosts a fine-dining room, bar and lounge set amid the treetops. Dinner and show packages include a three-course pre-show dinner, interval drinks, program and performance.

To arrive in style, guests can catch a water taxi to the venue, which departs from the Man O’War Steps at the Opera House and drops off at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, just a short walk to the venue.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW and Dr Haruhisa Handa through the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.

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Performance information

Location: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney

Dates: March 24 – April 23, 2023, excluding Mondays and Good Friday on 7 April

Running time: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one interval

Booking Information

Tickets on sale to the public Tuesday 16 August

To join the pre-sale waitlist and get first access to tickets visit opera.org.au/harbour

Bookings and enquiries regarding travel trade for inbound nett rates, terms and conditions

email tourism@opera.org.au or call +61 2 9318 8391.