Utah Opera to Open 2014-15 Season Puccini's MADAME BUTTERFLY, Begin. 10/11

Utah Opera begins the 2014-15 season on October 11 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theater with opulent costumes and enchanting music in Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly, featuring conductor Robert Tweten and director Garnett Bruce.

"We are excited to perform Madame Butterfly again," says Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth. Utah Opera has presented Madame Butterfly five times, most recently in 2008. "It is one of the most beloved operas, performed every year in this country, and it is difficult to find more compelling music than Puccini's Butterfly."

Soprano Yunah Lee makes her Utah Opera debut as Cio-Cio San, the young wife of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. "Yunah Lee is the reigning performer of Cio-Cio San in this country," says McBeth. "We are lucky to have her performing here." Lee has been portraying the roll of Cio-Cio San for more than a decade. Of her talent in this role, Opera News says, "Lee handled the not inconsiderable vocal demands of the role with aplomb but also did a superb job of conveying Butterfly's shifting, contradictory feelings that are so beautifully evoked by Puccini's score."

Eric Fennell reprises his role of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton in his Utah Opera debut. Larry Murray, from BerkshireFineArts.com says, "Eric Fennell not only succeeded brilliantly as the well-meaning but thoughtless American, but actually looked every inch the handsome young Navy officer that stole Cio-Cio San's heart. It didn't take any effort to believe that this was a couple that belonged together forever."

Under newly-appointed Costume Director, Verona Green, the talented Utah Opera Costume Shop has brought to life designs by Alice Bristow in a collection of beautiful, brand new costumes featuring nearly 20 hand-dyed, hand-painted silk kimonos that took up to three days each to complete. Also new is the set and stage, including a scenic backdrop designed and painted by Utah Opera Scenic Artist John Cook with colorful elements that change through special lighting effects. "This is a brand new production," McBeth says, "one built here in Salt Lake City and one that I am excited to share with our audiences."

The story focuses on the tragic life of Cio-Cio San, a geisha nicknamed Butterfly. Hopelessly devoted, Cio-Cio denounces her religion and is ostracized by her family for the love of her American husband. Ignoring the pleas from her maid Suzuki (played by mezzo soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen) and the American Consul Sharpless (played by Troy Cook), Cio-Cio waits patiently for her husband to return, unaware of the passion and grief ready to tear at her heart.

The performance will last approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes with one twenty-minute intermission.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera's education and community outreach department facilitates an online "learn before you go" series prior to each opera. Online learning materials about Madame Butterfly have been prepared by Adjunct Professor of Music Dr. Paul Dorgan of the University of Utah School of Music. Check them out at www.utahopera.org/onlinelearning.

On Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 7 PM, local high school students can attend the Utah Opera Dress Rehearsal of Madame Butterfly for only $3.

Opening night will feature a red carpet where cast and audience members can pose for a free photo. Photos will be posted on the Utah Opera Facebook page, allowing participants the chance to tag themselves during their night out on the town. Visit https://www.facebook.com/utahopera for more information.

Utah Opera Principal Coach Carol Anderson will offer an Opera Prelude Lecture, free of charge for ticket holders, in the back of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) one hour before curtain for each performance.

Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth will hold a Q&A session, free of charge for ticket holders, immediately following each performance at the front of the orchestra seating level of Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South).

Single tickets for the performance range from $18 to $95 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in person at the Capitol Theatre ticket office (50 West 200 South) or online by visiting www.utahopera.org. $20 rush tickets are available on the day of the performance for anyone 30 or younger. Season subscribers and those desiring group discounts should call (801) 533-6683. Ticket prices are subject to change and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.