Opera and Ecology – The Butterfly Project

Opera and Ecology – The Butterfly Project

Contemporary opera took on a brand new challenge. It goes beyond the realm of art and focuses on ecology – both in the context of its direct influence on the environment and raising ecological awareness among its audience.

The Butterfly Project is an international undertaking, which focuses on ecological production and distribution of opera performances. Three institutions participating in that project are Teatro Comunale di Modena (Italy), Opera Box in Helsinki (Finland) and Opera Bałtycka in Gdańsk (Poland). Their common goal is to create and co-produce an opera that will raise ecological awareness especially among younger audience, showcasing how culture can support protecting our planet.

An example of such an approach to production is the implementation of the Low Latency Audio Visual Streaming System (LOLA), which allows musicians to collaborate and play together without the need to gather at a particular place, thus eliminating the air pollution which occurs as a result of travelling. Within the Butterfly Project the system is implemented and supported by PSNC. Thanks to the GÉANT network musicians can rehearse together in real time without leaving their homes. That opens up new ways of creating art and connecting artists from remote parts of the world who perhaps would not have a chance to collaborate otherwise.

The Butterfly Project is going to culminate with premiere performances in all three participating institutions:

  • Modena: 11 and 13 April 2025
  • Helsinki: 2 and 3 May 2025
  • Gdańsk: 31 May and 1 June 2025

Photos by Krzysztof Mystkowski