Bervie youth to star in Madama Butterfly in Dundee

A seven-year-old Inverbervie boy is to take to the stage for a production of an acclaimed opera.

Luca Elders will lend his talents to the latest version of Madama Butterfly when it is performed at Dundee’s Caird Hall.

The youngster, who enjoys playing with Lego and watching Spongebob Squarepants when he isn’t treading the boards, will play the character Sorrow in the show on February 25.

Luca will appear opposite Korean soprano Elena Dee in the production.

The Bervie Primary School pupil  has been rehearsing by himself before he joins the cast in Dundee next week ahead of the performance.

Already on the youngster’s resume is a production of Sing Sing Sing! at the Music Hall in Aberdeen and several school plays.

Luca, who also performs with Aberdeen-based Phoenix Theatre Group, said he was looking forward to appearing in the city of Discovery.

His part in Madama Butterfly will not be a singing one. He plays the child of the lead character Cio-Cio San, played by Ms Dee.

Tina, Luca’s mother, said: “We’re really proud of him. He is so excited about it, which makes it great he got the part.

“He likes being on the stage and seeing how everything works.

“We’re all looking forward to it.”

Luca was headhunted by the production team, who emailed the family specifically to offer him the role.

“They singled him out straight away,” Tina added.

While Luca plans to keep one foot in the theatre world, his long term ambition is to become a teacher.

Madama Butterfly was written by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. It tells the story of Ms Dee’s Cio-Cio San, who is seduced and then deserted by Lieutenant Pinkerton.

She is the shunned by her family and friends when she finds she is pregnant with Luca’s character Sorrow.

The Caird Hall production has been put together by award-winning producer Ellen Kent, who has brought a version of Madama Butterfly to the Caird Hall in 2018.

She has also brought productions La Boheme and Carmen to Dundee over the years.

Madama Butterfly will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. It will also feature international soloists and a full orchestra.

Tickets are available at Dundee Box Office.