STAGE TUBE: Inside Rehearsal with the Chorus of Royal Albert Hall's MADAM BUTTERFLY

A new behind-the-scenes rehearsal video has been released for MADAM BUTTERFLY, Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece of doomed love and tragic passion, which will play a limited run at the Royal Albert Hall, beginning on 26 February 2015.

The video features rehearsal footage as well as interviews with director David Freeman, and performers Hyeseoung Kwon (Butterfly) and Jeffrey Gwaltney (Pinkerton)

No opera can match the tragedy and sorrow of MADAM BUTTERFLY. Set in Japan at the turn of the century, this tale of the doomed loved of an American naval lieutenant and his young Japanese bride inspired Puccini to write some of his most sublime and beautiful music.

From the magnificent love duet which closes the first act to Butterfly's celebrated solo One Fine Day, Puccini's ravishing score skilfully weaves together the differences in attitudes and styles of East and West. The production follows the unfolding action where passion and hope collide with despair and ultimate tragedy.

Staged in-the-round, this production transforms the iconic Royal Albert Hall into Japan in 1907. Once more the floor of the Royal Albert Hall will be flooded to create David Roger's stunning design where Madam Butterfly's house is perched on stilts above the shimmering surface of a traditional Japanese water garden.

The role of the young Japanese bride, Cio Cio San is shared by Nam-Young Kim, Hyeseoung Kwon and Myung-Joo Lee, opposite Jeffrey Gwaltney, James Edwards and Mario Sofroniou in the role of American naval lieutenant, Pinkerton. Sabina Kim, Catherine Hopper and Marcia Bellamy, plays Suzuki, withDavid Kempster, Wyn Pencarreg and James Cleverton as Sharpless.

The role of The Bonze is played by Michael Druiett. Julius Ahn plays Goro, with Seungwook Seong as Yamadori, Lise Christensen as Kate Pinkerton,Freddie Tong as Imperial Commissioner and Richard Suart as the Registrar.

The opera is sung in English, using the acclaimed translation by Amanda Holden. The cast will be accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Oliver Gooch. David Freeman directs, reviving his Japanese water garden production, designed by David Roger.