Spotlight: Virginia Opera's Madama Butterfly
25% off two tickets to Virginia Opera’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Call 1.866.673.7282 mention “Insider” Monday through Friday; 10:00am – 5:00pm
Contributed by Jamie DiMauro
 Set in early twentieth century Nagasaki, Japan, this Giacomo Puccini original surely lights up the stage and brings meaning to the phrase, "Die with honor, rather than live in disgrace."
In Nagasaki Japan U.S Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro, who has just procured him three servants and a geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San, known as Madame Butterfly. Pinkerton lives the life of a sailor roaming the world in search of pleasure. However, the American Consul, Sharpless, warns Pinkerton that his 999 year marriage contract will not be taken lightly by Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton brushes this aside saying that he will one day marry a "real" American wife. At the same time, Cio-Cio-San is shown showing her bridegroom her few earthly possessions, explaining how she fully intends to embrace Pinkerton's Christian lifestyle. The two are wed.
Act II takes place three years later as a pregnant and poor Cio-Cio-San awaits Pinkerton's return. Sharpless brings a letter to her suggesting that the Lieutenant might not return. Cio-Cio-San insists that once he has found out she has bore him a son, he will return. If he does not, she would rather die than return to her former life. Sharpless leaves having not revealed the full content of the letter.
Time passes and Pinkerton finally returns, only not alone. He has brought his new American wife, Kate. Realizing who the woman is, a shattered Cio-Cio-San agrees to give up her child. She then takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide and raises the blade to her chest. Sobbing farewells, Cio-Cio-San stabs herself. As she dies, Pinkerton is heard calling her name.
With a riveting plot like this, Opera fans are going to want to attend the Virginia Opera's rendition of Madama Butterfly as it takes the stage in Norfolk, Richmond and Fairfax in March and April of 2011.
25% off two tickets to Virginia Opera’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Call 1.866.673.7282 mention “Insider” Monday through Friday; 10am – 5pm
OFFER VALID FOR
Norfolk’s Harrison Opera House – March 19, March 23, March 25
Richmond’s Carpenter Theatre – April 8
Offer not valid for Sunday performances or price section1A/1B. Cannot be combined with other offers.
 Dates & Times of Shows:
Norfolk, VA
March 19, 2011, 8:00 pm
March 23, 2011, 7:30 pm
March 25, 2011, 8:00 pm
March 27, 2011, 2:30 pm
Richmond, VA
April 8, 2011, 8:00 pm
April 10, 2011, 2:30 pm
Call 1.866.673.7282 mention “Insider” Monday through Friday; 10am – 5pm
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