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Daejeon Opera Group Performs ‘Madam Butterfly’ in Cuba

The Daejeon Opera Group staged performances of “Madam Butterfly” at the National Theater of Cuba, in Havana. Many in the audience were visibly moved when Madam Butterfly, despite her diminutive stature, sang her arias with such passion, creating a moment in which everyone in the theater became one.



The National Performance Arts Council of Cuba contacted the Daejeon Opera Group in May 2007 to express its proposal to organize a joint performance of “Madam Butterfly.” The chance to perform in a country with which Korea has not yet established diplomatic relations added to our anticipation, but also caused complications, including the issuance of travel visas. In addition, we were perplexed by a sudden change in the performance schedule, even after such thorough preparations by our performers and staff. Accordingly, our performance in Cuba was rewarding, but not without certain apprehension. Thanks to sponsorship support from the Ampelos Group and Korea Foundation, we were able to participate in the Korea-Cuba joint performance of “Madam Butterfly” in 2008.
Since a private organization can rarely afford to travel abroad for a performance without outside financial assistance, for the costs of airfare, we anxiously awaited the Foundation’s review of our application for project support. After agreeing to stage the joint performance in mid-January, we needed to confirm our participation before the end of November, so that preparations could be undertaken.
During the f inal preparations prior to our departure, we were informed by the National Theater of Cuba that our performance could not be staged on the previously agreed-upon date. Although we explained about the serious problems that a rescheduling would for us, the Cuban side was insistent. Because certain members of the original cast could not accommodate the new schedule, due to their prior commitments, we were forced to hurriedly recruit a replacement director and performers. After arriving in Cuba, there was yet another problem. At the venue, we found out that the actual stage was different from what was depicted in the stage plans which had been sent to us. The director and performers were puzzled by this, which required various adjustments in the presentation and extra rehearsal time to work on the changes.
Meanwhile, Jeong Yu-rim and Park Gyeong-hui of Korea Make-Up, along with assistant director Kim Hyeong-jun and a translator, presented a lecture and demonstration on make-up, at the request of the National Ballet Theater of Cuba. The lecture room was crammed with make-up specialists and students who wanted to learn about the make-up techniques of Korea.



Power to Transcend Ideology
On February 29, the first performance was a success, despite our various concerns. The stage costumes and wigs brought in from Korea and the make-up of the performers played a key role in the successful performance. The second performance on March 2 was attended by an audience of about 1,000 people, including Cuban government officials, members of the general public, descendants of Koreans who immigrated to Cuba about a century ago, and Korean businesspeople. Many in the audience were visibly moved when Madam Butterfly, despite her diminutive stature, sang her sorrowful arias, after realizing the betrayal of Pinkerton and the need to bid farewell to her child. It was a moment when everyone in the theater, performers and audience, become one at heart.
When the curtain came down, the National Theater reverberated with a thunderous standing ovation by the appreciative audience. The Korean descendants, some of whom made a threehour journey to the theater to see the Korean opera group’s performance, lavishly praised the Korean performers for their passionate singing and impressive stage presence. Hearing this, the performers and the Korean descendants warmly embraced each other, amidst a heavy flow of joyful tears.
Director Mun Yun-mi of the Ampelos Group, which extended generous support for the performance, said it was extraordinary that the government of Cuba, a socialist country, would invite an art group from South Korea to participate in this kind of a three-year project. The Daejeon Opera Group is the only artistic organization from Korea to perform in Cuba. Choi Nam-in, the head of the Daejeon Opera Group and leader of the Korean delegation, put forth his best efforts to promote a positive image of Korea among Cuba’s performing arts sector and general public.
After hearing about the performance, a secretary from the North Korean Embassy visited the group to offer his words of encouragement.
The Minister of the Council, after viewing the opera presentation, said that the joint performance enabled Cuban artists to learn about the high level of Korea’s performing arts. He added that he would make efforts to implement cultural exchanges with Korea on a regular basis. Finally, it is our hope that this performance by the Daejeon Opera Group will contribute to more active cultural and economic exchanges, and reinforce the friendly relations between Korea and Cuba.

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