February 06. 2020 - March 08. 2020

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February 06. 2020 - March 08. 2020

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Madama Butterfly

An enchanting geisha, Cio-Cio-San, loses her heart to an American naval lieutenant and marries him. After he leaves Japan, she waits three long years for his return. We share her joy when he returns, and her utter despair when she realizes that he’s married an American woman and has come to take his young son—Cio-Cio-San’s child—back with him. Puccini lost his heart to his heroine, and so will you, in music of miraculous beauty and aching, deeply poignant dramatic truth.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 2 hours, 55 minutes with 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

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From deceptively simple staging to gorgeously emotive performances to breathtaking orchestration, this production reminds us what a jewel we have in a theater as dedicated to presenting world-class opera as the Lyric.”

Chicago Tribune

A rare, truly exceptional intersection of art, emotion and beauty, the kind of elusive perfection that is the reason we go to the theater.”

Third Coast Review

A Butterfly both vulnerable and marvelous.”

Stage and Cinema

Ana María Martínez has the acting and vocal skills to make Cio-Cio-San an admirable and magnetic heroine.”

Stage and Cinema

Jagde produced radiant timbre from his opening aria, ‘Dovunque al mondo,’ his voice ample in tone and focused in pitch.”

Chicago Tribune

In the end, Butterfly reminds us that certain scores are timeless because of the composer’s craft and the story’s universality.”

Chicago Tribune

In ‘Un bel di vedremo,’ Martínez fills out every little detail of Butterfly’s suspense-filled account with the vocal embroidery of a desperate soul who has re-visited this moment over and over in her head. It is the showpiece aria of the opera, indeed one of Puccini’s most famous ever for soprano, and in Martínez’s care it rose to its glorious imaginary heights right alongside the counter-balancing, relentlessly tragic undertone.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Madama Butterfly videos

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Puccini's Madama Butterfly

An enchanting geisha, Cio-Cio-San, loses her heart to an American naval lieutenant and marries him. After he leaves Japan, she waits three long years for his return. We share her joy when he returns, and her utter despair when she realizes that he's married an American woman and has come to take his young son—Cio-Cio-San's child—back with him. Puccini lost his heart to his heroine, and so will you, in music of miraculous beauty and aching, deeply poignant dramatic truth.

An invitation from Ana María Martínez to experience Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Hear from soprano Ana María Martínez as she tells you why you simply can't miss Lyric's upcoming production of Puccini's operatic masterpiece Madama Butterfly.

Patter Up! 60 seconds with Brian Jagde

Tenor Brian Jagde, who is Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, talks favorite cocktail, go-to karaoke song, and introduces us to the love of his life.

Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Madama Butterfly

By Giacomo Puccini

The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

“Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolini”

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“Un bel dì vedremo”

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“Addio, fiorito asil”

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Madama Butterfly

By Giacomo Puccini

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Commentary by Elinor Olin

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Madama Butterfly articles

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Sopranos and tenors take flight in Madama Butterfly

Lyric has not one but two romantic pairs in Puccini's Madama Butterfly this season! All four artists have enjoyed huge acclaim in the world's most important opera houses, and Butterfly has been a great success for all of them.

The choice to love

Synopsis

Time: Early 20th century
Place: Nagasaki, Japan

U. S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from Goro, a marriage broker. Goro has procured for him three servants and a geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San (known as Madame Butterfly). Sharpless, the American consul, arrives and is served whiskey as Pinkerton describes himself as roaming the world in search of pleasure. He is enchanted with Cio-Cio-San and intends to go through a marriage ceremony with her. Sharpless warns that the girl may not take her vows so lightly. Pinkerton suggests they drink to the day that he will marry a “real” American wife.

Cio-Cio-San approaches with her friends, proclaiming that she is answering the call of love. She tells Pinkerton how she had to earn her living as a geisha and declares her intention to embrace his Christian faith. The Imperial Commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, after which the guests toast the couple. When Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, the Bonze – a Buddhist priest – bursts upon the scene, he curses her for renouncing her ancestors’ religion. Pinkerton orders him and the rest of the family to leave.

Finally alone with Cio-Cio-San, Pinkerton dries her tears. Helped by her maid Suzuki into a bridal kimono, Cio-Cio-San joins Pinkerton in the moonlit garden.
Three years after Pinkerton's departure for America, Cio-Cio-San still awaits his return. Suzuki informs Cio-Cio-San that they will have no money left if Pinkerton takes much longer. CioCio-San urges Suzuki to have faith: one day the ship will arrive. Sharpless arrives with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Cio-Cio-San, Goro brings in her latest suitor, Prince Yamadori. Cio-Cio-San dismisses both Goro and Yamadori, insisting that her American husband has not abandoned her.

When Sharpless reads Cio-Cio-San the letter, he hints that Pinkerton may never return. Bringing in their child, Cio-Cio-San declares that as soon as Pinkerton knows of his son, he will surely come back. If he does not, she could return to life as an impoverished entertainer, but she would prefer death. Promising to tell Pinkerton about his son, Sharpless leaves.

When Cio-Cio-San is startled by a cannon report, she observes Pinkerton's ship entering the harbor. Ecstatic, she and Suzuki scatter flower petals everywhere. As night falls, she puts on her wedding kimono and awaits her husband's return.
As dawn breaks, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San rest. She moves to another room, carrying the child with her. Within moments Pinkerton arrives, accompanied by his new wife, Kate, along with Sharpless. Suzuki greets the men joyfully, but when she realizes who Kate is, she sadly agrees to help break the news to Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton bids an anguished farewell to the scene of his former happiness.

No sooner has Pinkerton gone than Cio-Cio-San appears, surprised to see Kate and Sharpless. Guessing the truth, she agrees to give up her child if Pinkerton will return for him in half an hour. Then, sending even Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her own father committed suicide. As she prepares for the seppuku ritual, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Cio-Cio-San asks her son to look into her face so he can remember her. She dies as Pinkerton is heard calling her name.

Program book

Go inside this production of Madama Butterfly with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK

Meet the artists

Ana María Martínez

Cio-Cio-San

(Feb 6-29 & Mar 5 & 8)

Puerto Rican soprano Ana María Martínez is Lyric's cultural ambassador.

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Lianna Haroutounian

Cio-Cio San

(Mar 4 & 7)

Lianna Haroutounian made her Lyric Opera debut as the title role in Madama Butterfly (2019|20)

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Brian Jagde

Pinkerton

(Feb 6-29 & Mar 5 & 8)

Brian Jagde, American tenor, has sung Madama Butterfly and Tosca with Lyric Opera

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Brandon Jovanovich

Pinkerton

(Mar 4 & 7)

Brandon Jovanovich is a renowned American tenor who has performed many roles at Lyric Opera or Chicago.

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Deborah Nansteel

Suzuki

American mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel's Lyric credits include Suzuki/Madama Butterfly (2019|20).

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Anthony Clark Evans

Sharpless

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Anthony Clark Evans has sung twelve roles at Lyric Opera since his 2013|14 season debut

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Rodell Rosel

Goro

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Filipino-American tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Rodell Rosel has sung over 20 roles with Lyric Opera since 2005/06.

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Henrik Nánási

Conductor

Maestro Henrik Nánási directed Madama Butterfly at Lyric Opera of Chicago

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Michael Grandage

Original Director

British director Michael Grandage directed Madama Butterfly (2019|20) at Lyric Opera

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Louisa Muller

Revival Director

Louisa Muller has directed Madama Butterfly and Carmen at Lyric Opera of Chicago

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Christopher Oram

Set and Costume Designer

Award-winning scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram's Lyric credits include Madama Butterfly (2019|20)

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Neil Austin

Original Lighting Designer

British lighting designer Neil Austin's Lyric credits include Madama Butterfly (2019|20) and Carousel (2013|14)

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Chris Maravich

Revival Lighting Designer

Chris Maravich, Lighting Director, has been with Lyric Opera since 2014

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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