"Madam Butterfly 3D" alights aboard Queen Mary 2

N E W S 

Cunard’s flagship presents second renowned co-production from RealD
and London’s Royal Opera House

14 June 2012 – As part of its worldwide release schedule, Cunard Line is proud to announce the first shipboard screenings of the 3D feature film, "Madam Butterfly 3D," in association with the Royal Opera House and RealD, the world’s most widely used digital 3D projection technology.

Captured during live performances at London’s internationally renowned Royal Opera House, "Madam Butterfly 3D" will be shown aboard Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, beginning 6 July 2012, the only ship currently scheduled to present the film.  The film opened earlier this year in the United Kingdom to much popular and critical acclaim and is being released worldwide in almost 40 other countries through the fall of 2012.

Acclaimed soprano Liping Zhang stars as Cio-Cio-San in RealD’s "Madam Butterfly 3D,"
filmed live at London’s Royal Opera House. Photo by Ollie Upton.

Cunard began its successful partnership with RealD in 2011 with the installation of RealD 3D projection technology, furthering the relationship later that year with screenings of the RealD and Royal Opera House co-production, "Carmen in 3D," which proved hugely popular with Cunard guests.  "Madam Butterfly 3D" is expected to draw equally large and appreciative audiences, when it is presented in the ship’s grand 450-seat theatre, Illuminations.  This second co-production between RealD and the Royal Opera House gives viewers the best seat in the house at one of the world’s most prestigious venues for one of the world’s best loved operas.
 
Combining the excitement of live staging with the immediacy of a feature film, "Madam Butterfly 3D" is a production designed to appeal to novices and opera buffs alike.

“The success of Cunard’s screenings of 'Carmen in 3D' over the last year has demonstrated the broad appeal of world-class opera productions on film to guests who may be regular opera-goers but who may equally not have had the time or opportunity to attend live performances,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “We’re sure 'Madam Butterfly 3D' will continue to play to full houses on board and add a new highlight to the wide-ranging programme of on board speakers, workshops and performances that sets Cunard apart.”

“There are few British institutions more respected and admired in the world than the Royal Opera and Cunard,” says Joseph Peixoto, president of worldwide cinema at RealD.  “To bring this world-class production to Queen Mary 2 ensures it will be seen on cruises throughout the world – just as it will be enjoyed in cinemas around the world this year. The 3D filmmakers of this beautiful and powerful film make you feel like you’re standing on the stage at Covent Garden.”

"Madam Butterfly 3D" takes audiences into the heart of this intimate production, immersing them in a tragic story of love, passion and betrayal. The story of a Japanese geisha’s love for an American naval officer moved Puccini to compose music of rare and sensual beauty, but also of heart-rending power, as Butterfly’s tragedy unfolds to its devastating conclusion. This work is one of opera’s most ravishing scores, featuring the famous Humming Chorus, Butterfly’s soaring aria “Un bel di vedremo” ("One fine day"), and such wonderfully lyrical passages as Cio-Cio-San’s first entrance, Pinkerton’s seduction of her, and Cio-Cio-San’s passionate farewell to her son.

Liping Zhang appears as the Butterfly of the title, Cio-Cio-San, a role for which she is acclaimed worldwide – and James Valenti makes an especially dashing Pinkerton, the young officer whose thoughtless toying with love is the catalyst for this tragic story. This revival of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s elegant stage production offers the drama, the musical richness and the sheer enjoyment of great performance that make The Royal Opera truly world class.

"Madam Butterfly 3D" was directed for cinema by Julian Napier and produced by Phil Streather.  The original stage production was directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier with costume designs by Agostino Cavalca and set designs by Christian Fenouillat.  The music is by Giacomo Puccini and the libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica.  For more information about the film, please visit www.madambutterfly3D.com.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 or to book a voyage, consult your Travel Agent, call Cunard toll-free 1-800-728-6273 or go to www.cunard.com.

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About Cunard Line
Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages bring together like-minded travellers who seek a civilised adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the only regularly scheduled Transatlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

World’s Leading Cruise Lines
Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

About RealD Inc.
RealD is a leading global licensor of 3D technologies. RealD's extensive intellectual property portfolio is used in applications that enable a premium 3D viewing experience in the theater, the home and elsewhere. RealD licenses its RealD Cinema Systems to motion picture exhibitors that show 3D motion pictures and alternative 3D content. RealD also provides its RealD Display, active and passive eyewear, and RealD Format technologies to consumer electronics manufacturers and content producers and distributors to enable the delivery and viewing of 3D content.  RealD's cutting-edge 3D technologies have been used for applications such as piloting the Mars Rover.

RealD was founded in 2003 and has offices in Beverly Hills, California; Boulder, Colorado; London, United Kingdom; Shanghai, China; Hong Kong; and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit our website at www.reald.com.

About the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is home to The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.  Each year, almost 300 performances are given on the main stage and a further 250 on other stages within the iconic Covent Garden building.

Each summer, three performances are relayed to outdoor screens across the UK as part of the BP Summer Big Screens, and other performances of both opera and ballet are screened in more than 800 cinemas across the world.  The Royal Opera House also runs a comprehensive education and community engagement programme reaching more than 90,000 people each year.