(Credit: Evan Zimmerman) The Metropolitan Opera is in the midst of a revival of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” in the acclaimed production by Anthony Minghella. The opera has one of the most complex soprano roles in the repertory, a role that requires stamina as well as vocal agility to shift from lyrical lines to intense dramatic passages. Luckily for this revival {…}
(Photo credit: Keith Saunders) “Harrowing” might be the best word for this powerful production of “Madama Butterfly,” the first opera in Opera Australia’s (OA) 2026 Sydney summer season and, in fact, the first opera in Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary season. Admittedly, Puccini’s subject matter is disturbing, albeit clothed in seductively gorgeous music. Finally realizing that the fable-like love she ‘shared’ {…}
(Credit: Soloman Howard) The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its production of “Madama Butterfly.” The company said that Ailyn Pérez and Toni Marie Palmertree will replace Elena Stikhina in March performances, singing the role of Cio-Cio-San. Pérez will sing the role on March 11, 14, 19, and 23, while Palmertree will sing the final performance on March {…}
Opera Australia’s 70th anniversary season will open with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The production by Moffatt Oxenbould will be conducted by Maestro Andrea Battistoni, Paul Fitzsimon, and Erina Yashima. Multiple casts will lead the work including sopranos Guanqun Yu, Olivia Cranwell, and Vittoria Yeo as Cio Cio San alongside tenors Robert Watson and Oreste Cosimo as Pinkerton. The lead cast will be {…}
In childhood soprano Emily Michiko Jensen performed as a “super” for San Diego Opera’s production of “Madama Butterfly,” along with her sister. Now, she will star as Cio-Cio San in Opera San José’s “Madama Butterfly”, which opens on Nov. 16 and runs through the 30th. Jensen, a Japanese-American San Diego native who draws from her rich heritage as a woman {…}
Opera San José is set to present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera will be directed by Michelle Ainna Cuizon and conducted by Joseph Marcheso and will be presented at the California Theatre. The cast will feature Opera San José Artist-in-Residence Emily Michiko Jensen in the title role of Cio-Cio-San, mezzo-soprano Kayla Nanto as Suzuki, Courtney Miller as Kate Pinkerton, tenor {…}
Opera San José (OSJ) is set to present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera is set to be directed by Michelle Ainna Cuizon and conducted by Joseph Marcheso. OSJ Artist-in-Resident Emily Michiko Jensen will take on the lead role of Cio-Cio-San alongside César Delgado as Pinkerton. The cast will be rounded out by OSJ regular Eugene Brancoveanu as Sharpless. “Madama Butterfly” {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta) Eleonora Buratto is set to headline a new production of “Madama Butterfly” at the Baden-Baden Festival. The soprano will perform the lead role alongside the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Kirill Petrenko in a new production by Davide Livermore on April 12, 15, and 20, 2025. The production will star Jonathan Tetelman, Teresa Iervolino, and Tassis Christoyannis. Following {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for its Dec. 20 performance of “Madama Butterfly.” The company said, “In tonight’s performance of ‘Madama Butterfly,’ soprano Ailyn Pérez plays the role of Cio-Cio-San in place of Sonya Yoncheva, who has not recovered from the effects of the cold she has suffered in recent days.” Pérez previously stepped in {…}
The Light Opera of New Jersey is set to present Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The work will be shown on Feb. 8 and 9, at the Sieminski Theater, Basking Ridge NJ. The company will present a traditional production with the Light Opera of New Jersey Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Jason Tramm. Kristin Sampson will sing the title role of Cio-Cio-San, {…}
The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for the Dec. 16 performance of “Madama Butterfly.” The company announced via social media that Sonya Yoncheva has withdrawn from the showcase due to illness. She will be replaced by Ailyn Pérez, who sang the performance on Dec. 15, 2024. The two sopranos have been alternating the title role alongside {…}
