Portland Opera’s Madame Butterfly Takes Flight

Portland, February 1st. The Portland Opera production of Giacomo Puccini well-loved work, Madame Butterfly, is getting rave reviews.  Madame Butterfly stars Kelly Kaduce as Cio-Cio-San with Roger Honeywell as Pinkerton.  (Photo credit: ©Portland Opera/Cory Weaver.)

The opera Madame Butterfly (1904), was based upon a play of the same title by David Belasco, which, in turn is based upon a short story by John Luther Long. Long contended his story was based upon actual events as related to him by his missionary sister, Jennie Correll, who spent years in Nagasaki, and knew not only many of the naval officers who put into port, but the local people, too.

Kelly Kaduce as Cio-Cio-San with Roger Honeywell as Pinkerton

As part of its commitment to the community, Portland Opera makes the final dress rehearsal of each opera available to the region's students.

Here’s a link to the YouTube video of Madame Butterfly. It will break your heart–Kelly Kaduce is just amazing! The whole company is world-class! This video is worth watching if you love opera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g5hFNAJuJc&context=C389118bADOEgsToPDskLh2DNvvdFdoTg2_YSUW5tS

From Portland Opera.

When the American naval officer stepped onto that foreign land, he should have known. And if he didn’t, the simple sincerity of Cio-Cio-San’s tender voice should have told him. To be careful. That she would believe his every word. That she was delicate, like … like a butterfly.

But he didn’t. And in that suddenly changed world plays out one of the most emotional and unforgettable of all operas.

Feb 3, 2012
Friday 7:30 pm              

Puccini at his best! Music so powerful, so achingly beautiful, that it has never failed to wring the tears and win the hearts of audiences throughout the world!

Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage. Performances held at the Keller Auditorium. Estimated running time 3 hours, 15 minutes

CAST

With members of the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus

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