Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly- Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 7 pm
- Century II Concert Hall

by Giacomo Puccini
Setting:
Japan, 1900
Act I:
Setting: Japan, 1900
In a garden above Nagasaki, Japan, U.S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro, who has just procured him a geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly). The American consul, Sharpless, arrives and Pinkerton describes his carefree philosophy of a sailor roaming the world in search of pleasure. He is currently enchanted with Cio-Cio-San, but his 999-year marriage contract contains a convenient cancellation clause. Sharpless warns that the girl is not so casual, but Pinkerton brushes aside his concerns, vowing to marry a “real” American wife one day. Further discussion is interrupted by the arrival of the bride and her relatives. In a quiet moment, Butterfly confides to Pinkerton that she has decided to embrace his Christian faith. Soon the Imperial Commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, but the celebration is interrupted by Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, who bursts in cursing the girl for renouncing her ancestors’ religion. Pinkerton angrily sends the guests away. Alone with Butterfly in the moonlit garden, he dries her tears, and she joins him in singing of their love.
ACT II: Three years later, Cio-Cio-San waits on the porch of her house for her husband’s return. Sharpless arrives with a letter from the lieutenant, but is interrupted when Goro arrives with a suitor, the wealthy Prince Yamadori. The girl insists Pinkerton has not deserted her. When they are alone again, Sharpless starts to read the letter and suggests Pinkerton may not return. Cio-Cio-San proudly carries forth her child, Dolore (Sorrow), saying that as soon as Pinkerton knows he has a son he surely will return. Moved by her devotion, Sharpless leaves without finishing the letter. Cio-Cio-San, on the point of despair, hears a cannon report signaling Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbor. Now delirious with joy, she orders Suzuki to help her fill the house with flowers. As night falls, Cio-Cio-San, Suzuki and the child wait for his arrival.
ACT III: At dawn, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San rest. Humming a lullaby, she carries her son to another room. Before long, Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife. Suzuki realizes who the American woman is and collapses in despair, but agrees to break the news to her mistress. Pinkerton, seized with remorse, bids farewell to the scene of his former happiness, then rushes away. When Cio-Cio-San returns, she finds only Kate in the room. Guessing the truth, she agrees to give up her child if his father will return for him. Then, sending everyone away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honor rather than live in disgrace. As she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child toward her. Sobbing farewell, Cio-Cio-San sends him into the garden to play, then stabs herself. As she dies, Pinkerton is heard calling her name.
Act II:
Three years later, Cio-Cio-San waits on the porch of her house for her husband’s return. Sharpless arrives with a letter from the lieutenant, but is interrupted when Goro arrives with a suitor, the wealthy Prince Yamadori. The girl insists Pinkerton has not deserted her. When they are alone again, Sharpless starts to read the letter and suggests Pinkerton may not return. Cio-Cio-San proudly carries forth her child, Dolore (Sorrow), saying that as soon as Pinkerton knows he has a son he surely will return. Moved by her devotion, Sharpless leaves without finishing the letter. Cio-Cio-San, on the point of despair, hears a cannon report signaling Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbor. Now delirious with joy, she orders Suzuki to help her fill the house with flowers. As night falls, Cio-Cio-San, Suzuki and the child wait for his arrival.
Act III:
At dawn, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San rest. Humming a lullaby, she carries her son to another room. Before long, Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife. Suzuki realizes who the American woman is and collapses in despair, but agrees to break the news to her mistress. Pinkerton, seized with remorse, bids farewell to the scene of his former happiness, then rushes away. When Cio-Cio-San returns, she finds only Kate in the room. Guessing the truth, she agrees to give up her child if his father will return for him. Then, sending everyone away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honor rather than live in disgrace. As she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child toward her. Sobbing farewell, Cio-Cio-San sends him into the garden to play, then stabs herself. As she dies, Pinkerton is heard calling her name.
The Cast
-
Yunnie Park
Cio-Cio San
-
Kirk Dougherty
B. F. Pinkerton
-
Michael Nansel
Sharpless
-
Charleen Ayers
Suzuki
-
Patrick Greene
Goro
-
Andrew Hernandez
The Bonze
-
Samuel Ramey
Prince Yamadori
-
Terry McManis
Yakuside
-
Chris Loucks
The Imperial Commissioner
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Mirko D’Angelo
The Official Registrar
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Monica Schmidt
Cio-Cio San's Mother
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Rebecca Robbearts
Cio-Cio San's Aunt
-
Erin Wright
Cio-Cio San's Cousin
-
Lindsey Ramey
Kate Pinkerton
-
Ellie Juhnke
Dolore (Sorrow)
Creative Team
-
Martin Mazik
Conductor
-
Shayna Leahy
Stage Director
CAST OF CHARACTERS | ||
CIO-CIO-SAN, (Madama Butterfly) | Yunnie Park | |
B. F. PINKERTON, U.S. Navy Lieutenant | Kirk Dougherty | |
SHARPLESS, United States Consul | Michael Nansel | |
SUZUKI, Cio-Cio-San’s servant | Charleen Ayers | |
GORO a marriage broker | Patrick Greene | |
THE BONZE, Cio-Cio-San’s uncle | Andrew Hernandez | |
PRINCE YAMADORI, Cio-Cio-San’s wealthy suitor | Samuel Ramey | |
YAKUSIDÉ, Cio-Cio-San’s Uncle | Terry McManis | |
THE IMPERIAL COMMISSIONER | Chris Loucks | |
THE OFFICIAL REGISTRAR | Mirko D’Angelo | |
CIO-CIO-SAN’S MOTHER | Monica Schmidt | |
CIO-CIO-SAN’S AUNT | Rebecca Robbearts | |
CIO-CIO-SAN’S COUSIN | Erin Wright | |
KATE PINKERTON | Lindsey Ramey | |
DOLORE (SORROW), Cio-Cio San’s child | Ellie Juhnke | |
CHORUS: Cio-Cio San’s Relatives, Friends, and Servants |
What to Expect
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Before the Opera
Where to Stay
If you are visiting Wichita from out of town, we suggest staying at one of these recommended hotels.
Where to Eat
Downtown Wichita and the nearby Delano District provide many dining options to enhance your opera experience. Concessions are also available at the opera.
Location
Except as noted, Wichita Grand Opera performs in the Century II Performing Arts Center in downtown Wichita.
Century II Performing Arts Center
225 W. Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67202
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Seating (Including for Disabled Patrons)
To comply with ADA requirements, the following seats are reserved for our handicapped patrons:
Concert Hall
On House Right, Seating is available at:
- Row M, Seats 123 & 124 (Best seating – $85 per seat)
- Row S, Seats 124 & 125 (Better seating – $58 per seat)
- Row KK, Seats 101-106 (Better seating $58 per seat) – Promenade Box
- Row LL, Seats 107-112 (Good seating, $37 per seat) – Promenade Box
On House Left, Seating is available at:
- Row M, Seats 22 & 23 (Best Seating – $85 per seat)
- Row S, Seats 24 & 25 (Better seating – $58 per seat)
- Row KK, Seats 1-6 (Better seating – $58 per seat) – Promenade Box
- Row LL, Seats 7-12 (Good seating, $37 per seat) – Promenade Box