Opera: Madame Butterfly

Cultures collide in Puccini’s poignant tale of a loyal geisha and a callous American naval officer whose fleeting romance leaves only devastation behind. Two of today’s leading artists—Ailyn Pérez and Sonya Yoncheva—make their Met role debuts as Cio-Cio-San, one of opera’s ultimate soprano roles. Tenors SeokJong Baek, Adam Smith—in his Met debut—and Matthew Polenzani co-star as Pinkerton in Anthony Minghella’s production, an “inspired vision” (The New York Times) that has become a classic.

CHECK OUT: The Metropolitan Opera’s website

CHECK OUT: Madame Butterfly Synopsis

READINGS

What is Opera and When and Where Did It Start?

“Musical? Opera? Please Respect the Difference” by Anthony Tommasini