Opera Memphis Opens Season With MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Opera Memphis opens its 2018-19 season with Madama Butterfly, Puccini's heartbreaking tale of love caught between two different worlds, featuring acclaimed soprano Yunah Lee as Madama Butterfly. Performances are October 26 & 27 at 7:30 PM at Germantown Performing Arts Center. For tickets or more information please visit www.operamemphis.org or call 901.202.4533.

Madama Butterfly opens in Japan, early 20th century. American Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton has purchased a house overlooking Nagasaki harbor. The house comes with servants and a bride, the young geisha Cio-Cio-San, also called Madama Butterfly. For Pinkerton, it is a marriage of convenience, but Butterfly is deeply devoted, even years after Pinkerton's time in Japan comes to an end. Sung in Italian with English surtitles, Madama Butterfly will be staged by Opera Memphis General Director Ned Canty and conducted by Opera Memphis Music Director Michael Sakir with music performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Joining Opera Memphis for their production is acclaimed soprano, Yunah Lee as Madama Butterfly. Lee is a leading interpreter of the role, having sung it around the world. Critics in Germany called her performance of Cio-Cio-San "a revelation... [her] voice unites the girlish innocence and the wistful sensuality [of Cio-Cio-San]" (ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZIN). "...thoroughly captivating, above all thanks to Yunah Lee, who is utterly convincing in mood and presentation... a commanding and touching performance revealing the highs and lows of Butterfly's emotions." (DAS OPERNGLAS). Lee's performances have also earned her rave reviews from The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and Opera News.

Other notable singers joining the cast this year include Matthew Vickers as B.F. Pinkerton, Stephanie Doche as Suzuki, Reginald Smith, Jr. as Sharpless, and Cody Galyon as Goro. For a full list of cast members, visit operamemphis.org/butterfly.

Madama Butterfly takes the stage for two nights only at Germantown Performing Arts Center. Show times are 7:30 PM on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. For tickets or more information about the opera, please visit www.operamemphis.org or call our Box Office Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM at 901.202.4533.