The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera has announced some major changes. First off, the company is now under new management with Giorgio Lalov as its new Artistic Director and Jason C. Tramm as its new musical director. Lalov assumed the position on Oct. 3, 2019. In addition to new leadership, the company has also revamped its social media accounts {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that Bruce Sledge will sing the remaining performances of the November run of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The company announced via social media that Bruce Sledge will sing Pinkerton in the Nov. 13, 16, 22, and 25 performances of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, replacing Andrea Carè. Sledge heroically made his role debut as Pinkerton during the HD {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine) The Met Opera’s Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season continues on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 12, 2019 with a transmission of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The broadcast, which kicks off 12:55 p.m. Eastern time, stars Hui He in the title role, Andrea Carè as Pinkerton, Paulo Szot as Sharpless, and Elizabeth DeShong as Suzuki. Pier Giorgio {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin has announced cast changes for Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The company announced that Elena Guseva will replace Ermonela Jaho in the role of Cio-Cio-San while tenor Ragaa Eldin will replace Migran Agadzhanyan in the role of B. F. Pinkerton. Guseva has appeared at the Wiener Staatsoper in “Otello” and “Aida” as well as “Madama Butterfly.” This season {…}
(Credit: Richard Termine/Metropolitan Opera) On Oct. 11, 2019, the Metropolitan Opera raised the curtain on this season’s premiere of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” Anthony Minghella’s production is a compelling mixture of traditional and modern creative choices, able to lend beauty as well as meaning to the unfolding story. One constant example came in the mirror hanging over the stage, reflecting all {…}
The Great Minds Lecture Series is set to present a talk on Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The lecture will present excerpts from “Madama Butterfly” and a discussion about the power of art and the ways in which it influences our social and political views. The discussion will feature key arias performed by soprano Danielle Pastin, Monika Krajevska, Mark Womach, and Francesco {…}
Opera Connecticut is set to open its 2019-20 season with a production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” on Oct. 18 and 20 at the Hoffman Auditorium in West Hartford. This is the first time the company presents the opera in its history. The production is set to star Vittoria Gilda Miranda in the title role with Mark Womack as Sharpless and {…}
One day, as a 16-year-old, tenor Piero Pretti, was invited by Fabrizio Ruiu to audition for a polyphonic choir. That moment would have tremendous implications for the Sardinian tenor. Not only would Ruiu, a close friend from childhood, become the best man at his wedding, but this audition would change Pretti’s life forever. “I fell in love with it,” he {…}
(Credit: Christian Leiber/ ONP) This week the Metropolitan Opera is set to open its classic production of “Madama Butterfly” with some of the opera’s greatest interpreters and some Met favorites. And with the cast comes a new Met star, Piero Pretti. Pretti, who has established himself throughout Europe since his 2006 professional debut, will make his Met debut in his signature {…}
(Credit: Svetlana Loboff / Opera National de Paris) On Sept. 14, 2019, the Paris Opera presented “Madama Butterfly” at the Bastille. One of the most beloved and famous operas of all time, it seemed like a very good choice to open a season. But what should have been a wondrous event was derailed by two factors: Robert Wilson’s production and {…}
Opera Australia has announced its 2020 Melbourne program, which will include staged operas, concert performances, and musicals. Operas Graeme Murphy will direct an “innovative and visually stunning” new production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” It will showcase how “the digital screens can be used to enhance the storytelling and opera experience,” says Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini in the press release. Japanese soprano Hiromi Omura {…}