Feb. 2, 2017

Arizona Opera Kicks Off 2017 With ‘Madama Butterfly’

Sandra Lopez as Cio-Cio-San, with Jason Ferrante as Goro and the Arizona Opera Chorus

Arizona Opera kicks off 2017 with Giacomo Puccini‘s masterpiece Madama Butterfly on Feb. 3 – 5 at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix.

The title character of Madama Butterfly, a young Japanese geisha, is convinced that her arrangement with a visiting American naval officer is a loving and permanent marriage. Set in the idyllic village of Nagasaki, Japan, the innocent geisha’s love for the U.S. officer leads to the ultimate heartbreak and tragedy. The story triggers ideas about cultural and sexual imperialism for people far removed from the opera house.

With tender duets and some of the most breathtaking arias, Madama Butterfly covers a lifetime of hope and anticipation, betrayal and despair. The opera is sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Sandra Lopez and Rena Harms will alternate in the title role of Cio-Cio-San. Sandra Lopez made her Arizona Opera debut last season in the title role of Florencia en el Amazonas and has received international acclaim for her portrayal of the Japanese geisha. Rena Harms will make her Arizona Opera debut when she arrives to portray Cio-Cio-San following her critically acclaimed appearance in London at the English National Opera.

Tenors Daniel Montenegro and Marco Cammarota will alternate as Lieutenant Pinkerton. Levi Hernandez will take the role of Sharpless, while Deborah Nansteel and Mariya Kaganskaya alternate in the role of Suzuki. Conductor Craig Kier makes his Arizona Opera debut, and Matthew Ozawa returns to direct as stage director.

Madama Butterfly

Feb. 3 – 4, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5, 2 p.m.

Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix

For more information/tickets, visit azopera.org.