Wild Rice and Victorian Opera proudly present The Butterfly Lovers like you have never seen it before. Fresh from its critically acclaimed world premiere in Australia, this thrilling international collaboration marks the first time this classic Chinese folktale takes ight as an original English-language opera.

Trapped by the constraints of a rigidly patriarchal society, Zhu Yingtai boldly disguises herself as a man to pursue higher education. At school, she meets the bookish Liang Shanbo, and the proverbial sparks fly. What begins as a friendship between equals soon deepens into love between soulmates. But tragedy beckons when Yingtai is called home to be married to a wealthy suitor.

Inspiring and bittersweet in equal measure, the star-crossed love between Yingtai and Shanbo transcends barriers like family, societal expectations, and – in this new incarnation – gender and sexuality.

Conceived and directed with visionary air by Ivan Heng, The Butterfly Lovers features a sensational new score by Richard Mills, one of Australia’s most distinguished composers, and a soul-stirring libretto by Joel Tan, one of Singapore’s most exciting young playwrights. Created in collaboration with a team of Singapore’s top theatre-makers and an international cast led by soprano Cathy-Di Zhang, countertenor Austin Haynes and baritone Haotian Qi, The Butterfly Lovers reaches across borders and cultures to bring this epic love story to exhilarating new heights.

Cast: Cathy-Di Zhang, Austin Haynes, Haotian Qi, Michael Dimovski

Chorus:
Adrian Poon
Zachary Dominguez
Cindy Honanta
Zoe Hong Yee Huay
Alice Cahya Putri
David Tao Chen Ming
Jonathan Charles Tay
Teng Xiang Ting

Musicians
Dizi: Ng Hsien Han
Pipa: Yan Yu
Violin: Kim Kyu Ri, Lim Hao Wei
Viola: Martin Peh
Cello: Lin Juan
Bass: Julian Li
Clarinet: Desmond Chow, Ralph Lim
Harp: Sarah Wong
Percussion: Michael Tan
Keyboard / Celeste: Phoebe Briggs
Piano / Celeste: Shane Thio

Creative Team
Director & Set Designer: Ivan Heng
Composer & Conductor: Richard Mills
Librettist: Joel Tan
Multimedia & Set Designer: Brian Gothong Tan
Costume Designer: Max Tan
Assistant Costume Designer: Wong Wai Toh
Lighting Designer: Philip Lethlean
Chorus Master: Adrian Poon
Sound Designer: Joel Manuel Fernandez
Hair Designer: Ashley Lim
Make-Up Designer: Bobbie Ng
Movement Coach: Gordon Choy
Répétiteurs: Phoebe Briggs, Shane Thio

Production Team
Head, Production: Melissa Teoh
Production Manager: Xu Xin'en
Technical Manager: David Sagaya
Production Co-ordinator: Angela Ee
Stage Manager: Jeannette Chong
Assistant Stage Managers: Anne Lee, Nurarina Nasir
Stage Assistants: Shamirul Aizan, Cindy Sng
Technicians: Muhammad Azhar Bin Azman, Jayant Daniel Singh
Hair Assistant: Michelle Wai
Make-Up Artists: Esther Goh, Lau Cheng Lang, Low Jyue Huey
Wardrobe Manager: Theresa Chan
Dressers: Ayuni, Noor'Ain Afiqah, Nur Fa'iqah, Nur Fatin Nabilah, Emily Francesca Soegijanto
Multimedia Operator: Maximilian Liang
Surtitle Operator: Steffie Tan
Mic Operator: Rachel Ong Qiu Yun

(Source: Wild Rice Programme)