Puccini’s
Madama Butterfly
REVIVAL
Live: Saturday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Encore: Wednesday, May 15 at 3:00 p.m.
There will be a pre-opera talk led by John Steinbrunner one hour before the LIVE performance on Saturday.
Xian Zhang (Conductor), Asmik Grigorian (Cio-Cio-San), Elizabeth DeShong (Suzuki), Jonathan Tetelman (Pinkerton), Lucas Meachem (Sharpless)
In her Met debut, Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini’s tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman is the callous American naval officer Pinkerton whose betrayal destroys her.
Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.
Act
I
Japan,
at the turn of the 20th century. The 15-year-old geisha Cio-Cio-San, called
Butterfly, enters into an arranged marriage with U.S. Navy Lieutenant
Pinkerton. He just wants to enjoy himself, but she takes the union seriously,
even converting to Christianity. On her wedding day, she endures the scorn of
her entire family, who denounces her for betraying their traditional faith.
Act
II
Three
years later, Butterfly is still waiting for Pinkerton, who returned to America
shortly after the marriage. A rich Japanese prince asks her to marry him, but
she rejects his proposal, claiming that her husband has not deserted her. When
the American consul Sharpless visits to break the news that Pinkerton will soon
arrive with his new American wife, Butterfly triumphantly shows him her young
son. Sharpless can’t bring himself to tell her the truth. Pinkerton’s ship
lands at the harbor, and Butterfly, her maid, and the child settle into an
all-night vigil.
Act
III
Dawn
breaks, and Butterfly is still waiting. When she is confronted with the truth
in the person of Kate Pinkerton, she agrees to give up her child if Pinkerton
will come for him. Knowing that she cannot continue to live without honor, she
says goodbye to her son, blindfolds him, and kills herself as Pinkerton
arrives, calling her name.
The 2023-2024 Met Live Opera season in Sedona is generously sponsored by Bea Hanks, Chris Fladlien and Jim Dunne.
The season is dedicated in loving memory to Marc DuCharme.