In January 1999, Operama's Maestro Giuseppe Raffa stunned over 30,000 spectators at the Loftus Superstadium in Pretoria with his spectacular visual approach to the magnificent Verdi opera, Aïda. Big Concerts recently announced the return to South Africa of Operama with Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

Set in Japan, which offers marvellous scope for Operama’s splendid visual effects, Madame Butterfly is the tragic story of the loyal Cio-Cio San whose love for her two-timing Colonel Pinkerton leads to disastrous results. Maestro Raffa is once again musical director, leading a 70-piece orchestra, a chorus of 80 and a glittering line-up of opera soloists led by renowned Japanese soprano Mina Yamazaki in the role of Cio-Cio-San and South African tenor Jannie Moolman as Colonel Pinkerton.

Maestro Raffa’s production of Madame Butterfly will offer an unforgettable experience of high-tec acoustics, computerised projections on a gigantic 70m by 20m screen and spectacular lighting effects. The show received its world premiere in July at Italy's legendary Arena di Verona, marking the debut of a new scenic technology which testified to the evolution of image and sound in the historic Roman amphitheatre. It played to seven sold-out performances

Following the success of Aida in this venue, Madame Butterfly will be presented by Big Concerts in association with Cinemark and Radio 702 in The Minolta Loftus Superstadium, Pretoria on January 29, 2000, at 19h30. Opera lovers in the Cape will not be left out this time around as Madame Butterfly will also be presented in Stellenbosch by Big Concerts in association with Cinemark and 567 MW Cape Talk on January 22, 2000, at 20h30 in the Danie Craven Rugby Stadium.

Booking exclusively at Ticketweb. Phone 0861 400 500 or through www.ticketweb.co.za. Tickets from R100 to R600 exclusive of TicketWeb's booking fee.