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Music by the Lake to Stage 'Madama Butterfly' Opera on July 18-19
7/1/2009
AURORA, Ill. — "Madama Butterfly," Giacomo Puccini's opera masterpiece, will be staged in Aurora University's ninth annual Music by the Lake series on Saturday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 19, at 4 p.m.
Performances are held in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, located on the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis.
Christine Flasch, executive director of Music by the Lake, will direct the performances featuring young stars from Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Connecticut, Japan and South Korea.
Principals are:
- Illinois — Lisa Flores (Cio-Cio San), Berwyn; JongHun Kim (The Imperial Commissioner of Japan), Champaign; Teppei Kono (Prince Yamadori/The Bonze), Jennifer Kosharsky (Suzuki), Todd von Felker (Sharpless), Chicago; John Warren (Goro), Zion
- Colorado — Joel Burcham (Lt. B.F. Pinkerton), Broomfield
- Wisconsin — Susan Yankee (Kate Pinkerton), Greenfield
The Story of "Madama Butterfly" focuses on U.S. Navy Lt. B.F. Pinkerton, who inspects a house overlooking Nagasaki harbor he is renting from marriage broker, Goro. It comes with three servants and a geisha wife named Cio-Cio-San, known as "Madama Butterfly." The couple share a short, blissful time together, but soon Pinkerton is called to return to America, leaving Butterfly to wait longingly for his return. The son produced by their love gives consolation to Butterfly. Along with her loyal maid, Suzuki, she waits for more than three years to see him again.
When the smoke from his ship is at last seen in the harbor, all are deliriously happy. But soon it becomes clear that Pinkerton has returned with an American wife in order to take his son back to the United States. In a final generous moment, the heartbroken girl gives the boy up, but takes her own life. In grief stricken remorse, Pinkerton calls her name in the final moments of the opera, but it is too late.
Puccini based his opera in part on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther Long, dramatized later by David Belasco. He also incorporated the novel "Madame Chrysanthème" (1887) by Piere Loti into his storyline.
According to American scholar Arthur Groos, the opera was based on events that actually occurred in Nagasaki in the early 1890s.
Performances are supported by Young Artist Underwriter, Harold Hartshorne, Jr.
Music by the Lake's summer season of seven performances includes the Main Stage Series, with four Saturday evening performances and a Sunday afternoon performance; and Special Concerts, featuring a Classical Spotlight concert and a Jazz Café performance.
The Main Stage series continues with:
- Michael Bolton, one of America's greatest singers and songwriters, who will "Swing Sinatra" Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. This performance is generously underwritten by Don and Marilyn Hedberg and The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.
- "Sweet Baby James," a James Taylor tribute sung by New York artist Bob Stillman, Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
This year's Special Concerts include:
- Thomas Hampson (Classical Spotlight Concert), America's leading baritone known the world over for his marvelous programs of American music, Sunday, July 12, at 4 p.m.
- Johan Stengård (Jazz Café), the premier saxophone player of Sweden, performing jazz and pop standards, and original compositions, Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m.
Single ticket prices range from $12 to $75. Tickets for special concerts range from $30 to $125.
For more information or tickets, call 866-843-5200 toll free or 262-245-8501 or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu, Visit the Web site at www.musicbythelake.com for secure online ordering.
The 2009 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by Platinum sponsors AT&T and Fairwyn; Gold sponsors Grand Geneva, Keefe (Honorary Presenting Sponsor), and Scherrer Construction; and Silver sponsors Aurora Health Care, Balestrieri Development and Environmental, Inc., Gage Marine Lake Geneva Cruise Line, HGA Architects and Engineers, M&I Bank, Johnson Bank, Sodexo Campus Services, and Walworth State Bank.
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university's Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus offers 15 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.
Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.musicbythelake.com/press.
