Spend an afternoon sailing the high Cs.
Queensborough Performing Arts Center hosts Madama Butterfly on Sunday, April 6, at 3 pm.
Presented by New Jersey-based Verismo Opera, this full-scale, traditional Italian staging of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved opera features beautiful sets and costumes, an orchestra, a chorus, and accomplished American soloists.
Tickets run from $48 to $68.
Set in Japan in 1904 (the year it debuted), Madama Butterfly is a three-act, heart-wrenching story of unrequited love and betrayal. The beautiful, 15-year-old protagonist, Cio-Cio-San (which translates as Miss Butterfly) falls in love with Pinkerton, a U.S. Navy officer. Against her family’s wishes, she converts to Christianity to marry him. (A Buddhist priest uncle even places a curse on the couple.)
Soon after the wedding, Pinkerton leaves Cio-Cio-San for the United States and breaks off all communication with her. Regardless, the bride, who gives birth to a baby, refuses to face reality and continues to insist that he’s coming back to her, despite the maid’s efforts to convince her to move on.
After a few years, Pinkerton returns to Japan with his American wife. Cio-Cio-San agrees to give them her son, if they promise to raise him. She then stabs herself before Pinkerton can talk to her.
Bergen County-based Verismo, whose official name is the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera, was founded in 1989.
QPAC is located on Queensborough Community College’s campus. The entrance is 222-05 56th Ave., and a large parking lot is on site.
Images: Verismo