The Metropolitan Opera Madama Butterfly (2019)

Ever since it opened the 200607 season Anthony Minghellas striking production of Madama Butterfly has been a Met classic Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese theater Minghellas staging retells this heartbreaking tale with brilliant stagecraft bold colors and bunraku puppetry In this Live in HD performance from the fall of 2019 Chinese soprano Hui He stars as CioCioSan the young geisha who puts her trust in a visiting American naval officer only to later be abandoned by him In a feat of operatic heroics tenor Bruce Sledge appears as the callous Pinkterton stepping into the role on short notice to replace an ailing colleague Pier Giorgio Morandi conducts one of operas most tragic masterpieces leading a cast that also includes mezzosoprano Elizabeth DeShong as CioCioSans loyal companion Suzuki and Tony Awardwinning baritone Paulo Szot as the US consul Sharpless