NEW ORLEANS OPERA TICKETS NOW ON SALE
The Spring Season is sponsored in part by a generous gift from Freeport McMoRan Foundation

Madama Butterfly

April 20, 2006 7:30 PM

April 22, 2006 8:00 PM

McAlister Auditorium

April 10, 2006, 2006, New Orleans, Louisiana… The New Orleans Opera closes the season with the timeless favorite, Madama Butterfly. This is an opera which has the ability to make the spirit soar and then break your heart in the most beautiful way. In the classic story of love and honor, composer Puccini wrote an opera that inspired many other works for the stage – none of which has come close to his operatic masterpiece. From its rapturous musical themes to its tragic climax, it is an opera that expresses everything. Audiences will experience one of the leading sopranos of our time, Kallen Esperian as Cio-Cio-San. Joining her on stage will be Metropolitan Opera tenor Raúl Melo as Pinkerton, baritone Richard Zeller as Sharpless, soprano Maria Zifchak as Suzuki, tenor Mark James Meier as Goro and bass Perry L. Brown as the Bonze.

Madama Butterfly will be directed by Cleveland’s David Bamberger. Robert Lyall conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for both operas and the New Orleans Opera Chorus will be prepared by Carol Rausch.

Please note that performances will be staged at McAlister Auditorium on the Uptown campus of Tulane University. In the spirit of community, Tulane is generously working with the New Orleans Opera to provide a temporary home that includes a newly renovated hall and ample well lit parking. New Orleans Opera’s home, the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts, sustained flood damage after the hurricane and has not yet been repaired.

Tickets to Madama Butterfly are now on sale. Prices range from $35 - $225. Saturday, April 22 is near sell out and great tickets are still available for Thursday, April 20th. For more information please call the New Orleans Opera ticket hotline at 529-3000 or 1-800-881-4459.