Puccini's masterpiece Madame Butterfly opens Friday, March 10th at The Dallas Opera and continues throughout the month. With its poignant melodies, memorable characters, and intriguing storyline, it’s the must-see opera for newcomers a perennial favorite of aficionados. The stellar international cast features one of today’s most famous interpreters of the role of Cio-Cio-San, (Butterfly), the extraordinary Chinese soprano Hui He, as well as Italian tenor Gianluca Terranova (Lt. B.F. Pinkerton); each in their Dallas Opera debuts. Renowned Italian conductor Donato Renzetti will be at the podium in this San Francisco Opera production directed by the distinguished British stage director, John Copley.
One of the most popular operas of all time, it is loosely based on true events in Nagasaki, Japan (dramatized on the London stage by David Belasco). It depicts the story of a naïve young woman, Cio-Cio-San (Hui He), who falls in love with a callous American naval officer, Lt. B. F. Pinkerton, temporarily stationed in Japan. Pinkerton is charmed by the inexperienced young woman and seduces her into a marriage of convenience. Pinkerton soon leaves her, promising to return. Years pass and Butterfly remains steadfast in her devotion and loyalty to her now-vanished husband, despite pleas from her maid Suzuki (mezzo-soprano Manuela Custer), to give up her vigil, and interest from worthy suitors. Pinkerton eventually returns, but to Butterfly’s despair, it is not to reunite with his former lover.
This is the perfect night out for the opera curious or the opera aficionados, and with tickets starting at just $19, how can you resist? Click here for ticket information.
Performances:
March 10th at 7:30pm (opening)
March 12 at 2pm
March 15 at 7:30pm
March 18 at 7:30pm
March 24 at 7:30pm
March 26 at 2pm
I hope to see you there!!