Butterfly

Opera by Tõnu Kõrvits in two acts

Libretto by Maria Lee Liivak and Lauri Kaldoja, based on Andrus Kivirähk’s eponymous novel
World premiere on September 13, 2013 at the Estonian National Opera

• Approx. running time 2 h 5 min
• Performed in Estonian, subtitles in Estonian and English

F, 16 January 2015 / 19:00

F, 6 February 2015 / 19:00

“Butterfly” by Tõnu Kõrvits is a dream-like opera, merging life, theatre and fairy-tale. The heroine Erika is a mysterious bird-woman, who is employed by the theatre by chance and dances like a butterfly. She is fickle, sensitive and unpredictable. Her descent from birds makes her choose between leaving with them on the brink of winter or staying at the theatre, where her heart and her beloved August is.

“Butterfly” is commissioned for the 100th anniversary of the house of the Estonia Theatre and Concert House on September 6, 2013. The opera recounts the beginning years of the theatre and people who worked there at the time (dancer Erika Tetzky, actor August Michelson). The historical opening performance of the house, “Hamlet”, will be portrayed by the characters of the legendary actors Erna Villmer and Theodor Altermann. Ophelia portrayed by Villmer will become a parallel to the fate of Erika.

Staging team
Conductors Vello Pähn, Risto Joost
Stage Director Peeter Jalakas (Von Krahl Theatre)
Designer Liisi Eelmaa
Ligting Designer Anton Kulagin
Choreographer: Kati Kivitar
Video Designer Emer Värk (Von Krahl Theatre)
Technical Consultant Enar Tarmo (Von Krahl Theatre)

CAST

Risto Joost Conductor

Rauno Elp

Oliver Kuusik

Helen Lokuta