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 {…}
Opera Saratoga has unveiled its 2020 summer festival programming which will feature three new productions, including a New York Premiere. It all gets started with Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance,” which will be conducted by Brian DeMaris in a production by Eve Summer. The work will feature Opera Saratoga Festival Artists. Performance Dates: June 19-July 4, 2020 Next {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features “Fatal Attraction.” What {…}
The Central City Opera 2019 Festival is set to open its festival with “Madama Butterfly.” The new production is set to be directed by up-and-coming director, Alison Mortiz, who previously directed the one-act performances of “Gallantry and Cabildo” during the Central City Opera 2017 Festival. The production will star tenor Cody Austin, mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen, baritone Troy Cook, tenor Joseph {…}