As a result of the workshops we have chosen to focus on the culture that Butterfly leaves behind rather than tell the story of the opera. We pulled out four themes: The principle of the flowing line found in Japanese painting and calligraphy; the tea ceremony and its basis in five elements; the emotions and atmosphere evoked by the score; the beauty of the Butterfly which will only live for two days.

In our two week rehearsal period we have been joined by soprano Sarah Rhodes, musicians and singers from the Orchestra and Chorus of Scottish Opera and young people from Milton School - completing this Butterfly company.

We saw our role as an artistic team as being facilitators of creativity. Everyone's contribution has been of equal importance in the devising period and everything you see in the performance has come directly from the creative contribution.

Marisa ZanottI, Choreographer