Madama Butterfly

Immerse yourself in Puccini’s timeless classic Madama Butterfly — a story of hope, longing, and ultimate sacrifice.

Featuring some of the most exquisite arias and beautiful duets ever composed, this critically acclaimed new co-production is grounded during the real historical moment of the Allied occupation of postwar Japan between 1946 and 1953.

Madama Butterfly follows the young geisha Cio-Cio-San as she dreams of a future filled with love alongside Lt. Pinkerton, an American naval officer. As the tale unfolds, betrayal and heartbreak cast their shadow, leading to an unforgettable finale.

Arizona Opera’s production — with Puccini’s ravishing score, an extraordinary cast and orchestra, new sets and costumes, and a design team of all first-generation Asian women — explores the passion for finding a better life, the heartfelt desire to be seen and accepted, and the cost of believing in promises that are built on fundamentally unequal ground.

It is a musical journey of unmatched beauty and emotional depth, certain to captivate audiences anew as it sheds fresh light on Puccini’s masterpiece and the world around us.

#azobutterfly
 

Estimated Running Time: 3 hours, including one 30-minute intermission

Performed in Italian with English and Spanish supertitles

Co-Production of Arizona Opera, Calgary Opera, and Opera Grand Rapids.

Madama Butterfly is part of the Arizona Opera Main Stage Series. Production made possible, in part, through generous support from Barbara D. Molotsky and the Tucson Desert Song Festival.