JUNE 30, JULY 6, 11, 20 AT 8:30 PM; JULY 30, AUGUST 4, 8, 13, 18, 22, 24 AT 8:00 PM
Sung in Italian with opera titles in English and Spanish. A revival of the Santa Fe Opera’s 2010 production. First performed at the Santa Fe Opera in 1957. Premiered in 1904 at Milan’s Teatro Alla Scala.
This production is underwritten by deeply appreciated gifts from the Friedman-Kein/Yoyonaga foundation in honor of Charles Mackay, and James R. Seitz, Jr.
MUSIC BY GIACOMO PUCCINI LIBRETTO BY LUIGI ILLICA AND GIUSEPPE GIACOSA BASED ON THE STORY BY JOHN LUTHER LONG AND THE PLAY BY DAVID BELASCO BRESCIA VERSION
Puccini’s Madame Butterfly follows a beautifully traced arc for the title character, from child bride to strong young mother and her ultimate return to her culture’s code of honor. The score features one of Puccini’s most passionate love duets, some of his most lyrical music, and a spine-tingling climax. Witness this timeless tale of love, loss, and honor.
In 1898, a dapper Philadelphia lawyer named John Luther Long wrote a short novel called Madame Butterfly, about a callous American naval lieutenant who marries a 15-year-old Japanese geisha and then deserts her. Two years later, legendary impresario David Belasco created a Broadway sensation with his stage adaptation. Puccini saw Belasco’s London production later that summer, loved its theatricality and pathos, and sought the rights to use it for his next opera. “The more I think of Butterfly the more irresistibly I am attracted,” he wrote in November of 1900. “If only I had it here so I could start work on it!”
Conductor: John Fiore Director: Matthew Ozawa Scenic Design: Jean-Marc Puissant Costume Design: Brigitte Reiffenstuel Lighting Design: Rick Fisher Choreography: Nicola Bowie Chorus Maste: Susanne Sheston Original Production: Lee Blakeley
Cio-Cio-San: Kelly Kaduce, soprano (June 30-July 20); Ana María Martínez, soprano (July 30 August 24) B.F. Pinkerton: A. J. Glueckert*+, tenor (June 30-July 20); Joshua Guerrero, tenor (July 30-August 24) Suzuki: Megan Marino*+, mezzo-soprano Sharpless: Nicholas Pallesen*+, baritone The Bonze: Solomon Howard, bass Goro Matthew: DiBattista*+, tenor
*debut, +former Santa Fe Opera Apprentice
ADDITIONAL EVENTS SURROUNDING MADAME BUTTERFLY
PREVIEW DINNERS
Enjoy an opera-themed dinner, including wine, at our open-air cantina on the beautifully landscaped rehearsal grounds. A speaker will offer a brief introduction to the evening’s opera during dessert. At just $70 a person, a Preview Dinner is a great way to kick off your night at the opera.
PRELUDE TALKS
Your road map for the evening’s performance, these talks are complementary to ticket holders and are held in Stieren Orchestra Hall twice before most performances. The first talk is given two hours before the performance and the second is one hour before. Please inform us if you would like to pick up your tickets in time to attend a lecture, as we generally open the media lounge just one hour before the performance. Please note that Prelude Talks are not offered on June 29 or before the Apprentice Showcase Scenes on August 12 and 19.
BACKSTAGE TOURS
Come discover how an opera production comes together. On our “behind-the-scenes” tour, you will explore many of our production and front-of-house areas. Tours for the 2018 season are offered once daily at 9:00 am, Monday through Friday: May 28, through August 24, 2018. Tours are one hour long and start at the Box Office. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+), and free for children and young adults up to age 22. Comfortable dress and footwear is recommended.
RANCH TOURS
An extended tour of the grounds, known as the “Opera Ranch,” meets at the Box Office at 10:00 am on the following Fridays: June 29, July 27, and August 24 in 2018, and include a “Meet the Artists” presentation by one of our apprentice singers. The Ranch Tour is $10. Reservations are not required.
OPERA INSIDER DAYS
A free event hosted by The Guilds of The Santa Fe Opera on Saturdays (through August 25). At 8:30 am, join us for coffee, juice, and pastries followed by a lively talk about a particular area or opera-related craft from an opera insider, and conclude with a backstage tour. For those attending with children, ask about our scavenger hunt. Reservations are not required.
