The season concludes with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” live via simulcast on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. and the encore presentation on Wednesday, May 15 at 3 p.m.

Plan to come early as John Steinbrunner will lead a pre-opera talk one hour before the LIVE production on Saturday.

In her Met debut, Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini’s tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman is the callous American naval officer Pinkerton whose betrayal destroys her.

Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.

Act I
Japan, at the turn of the 20th century. The 15-year-old geisha Cio-Cio-San, called Butterfly, enters into an arranged marriage with U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. He just wants to enjoy himself, but she takes the union seriously, even converting to Christianity. On her wedding day, she endures the scorn of her entire family, who denounces her for betraying their traditional faith.

Act II
Three years later, Butterfly is still waiting for Pinkerton, who returned to America shortly after the marriage. A rich Japanese prince asks her to marry him, but she rejects his proposal, claiming that her husband has not deserted her. When the American consul Sharpless visits to break the news that Pinkerton will soon arrive with his new American wife, Butterfly triumphantly shows him her young son. Sharpless can’t bring himself to tell her the truth. Pinkerton’s ship lands at the harbor, and Butterfly, her maid, and the child settle into an all-night vigil.

Act III
Dawn breaks, and Butterfly is still waiting. When she is confronted with the truth in the person of Kate Pinkerton, she agrees to give up her child if Pinkerton will come for him. Knowing that she cannot continue to live without honor, she says goodbye to her son, blindfolds him, and kills herself as Pinkerton arrives, calling her name.

The 2023-2024 Met Live Opera season in Sedona is generously sponsored by Bea Hanks, Chris Fladlien and Jim Dunne. The season is dedicated in loving memory to Marc DuCharme.

The Met Live Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. (live simulcast) with an encore on Wednesday, May 15 at 3 p.m. The pre-opera talks will take place one hour before the live Saturday simulcast.

Tickets are $25 general admission, $22 for Film Festival members, and $15 for students. Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office or by calling 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona.