The story of Cio-Cio-San is one of Giacomo Puccini's most beautiful love operas. And to think, the premiere of this production in 1904 at La Scala in Milan was one of the composer's most bitter experiences. The atmosphere in the audience was unbearable. The audience chanted "La Bohème!!!" – accusing the composer of duplicating musical passages, booed, and yawned loudly. The performance was a complete failure. Critics also lambasted the composer. Only after several changes were made and a performance at the Teatro Grande in Brescia did the opera triumph. Seven encores were required, and from then on, it has been a popular addition to the repertoire of opera houses around the world.

Madame Butterfly

Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

The director's motto for this striking production is a phrase taken from Nirvana frontman Curt Cobain's farewell letter: "It's better to burn out than to fade away." Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata , in Mariusz Treliński's staging, is a spectacle about a star who burns out in its own light. In the director's interpretation, Verdi's masterpiece becomes a portrait of the artistic community.

Szymon Raczkowski

Events

Upcoming events

23 - 31 May, 2026

La Traviata · Polish National Opera

Past events

10 - 15 Oct, 2025

Madame Butterfly · Polish National Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Marquis d'Obigny in La traviata by Verdi

Polish National Opera

Commissioner in Madame Butterfly by Puccini

Polish National Opera

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