Anthony Minghella’s beautiful, atmospheric production enhances Puccini’s drama of unfortunate, doomed love. Soprano Kristine Opolais brings all of her passionate commitment to her portrayal of Cio-Cio-San, the teenage geisha who gives up everything for Lt. Pinkerton. Roberto Alagna is the American naval officer who does not understand the depth of Cio-Cio-San’s love, and whose subsequent marriage to an American woman precipitates Butterfly’s suicide. Maria Zifchak is Suzuki, Cio-Cio-San’s faithful servant, and Dwayne Croft plays the American consul Sharpless, who tries to avert the tragedy. Karel Mark Chichon conducts.

Roberto Alagna
as Lt. B. F. Pinkerton

Kristine Opolais
as Cio-Cio-San

Maria Zifchak
as Suzuki

Dwayne Croft
as Sharpless

Deborah Voigt
as Self - Host

Tony Stevenson
as Goro

Patricia Steiner
as Cio-Cio-San's cousin

Belinda Oswald
as Cio-Cio-San's mother

Craig Montgomery
as Uncle Yakuside

Jean Braham
as Cio-Cio-San's aunt