LA Opera to simulcast “Madame Butterfly”

Los Angeles Opera kicks off their 2024-25 season with Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, starring Karah Son and Jonathan Tetelman, led by conductor James Conlon.

Performances will run September 21 – October 13, 2024 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, at the Music Center in Downtown LA. Purchase performance tickets here.

The Los Angeles Opera will simulcast a FREE, live performance of Madame Butterfly on 
Saturday, September 21, 2024 starting at 6 PM. PLEASE NOTE early start time of 6PM.

Simulcast venues:

Santa Monica Pier – 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, CA 90401

El Cariso Community Regional Park – 13100 Hubbard St., Sylmar, CA 91342

More information about the simulcast also to RSVP for gifts & info here.

Backstory:

Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece Madama Butterfly is the one of the most frequently staged operas in history. The original version of the opera, in two acts, had its premiere on 17 February 1904 at La Scala in Milan, Italy. 

Puccini’s tragic opera is based on the short story “Madame Butterfly” (1898) by John Luther Long, which in turn was based on stories told to Long by his sister Jennie Correll and on the semi-autobiographical 1887 French novel Madame Chrysanthème by Pierre Loti.

Madame Butterfly is a tragic love story between a Japanese woman and an American naval officer, set in the early 20th century. The opera explores themes of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and cultural differences. 

Granting this beloved opera a meaningful update, the staging will include a cinematic aspect as all the action is set to take place on a richly realized 1930s film set.

• Where: The performance will be broadcast from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to large LED screens at El Cariso Community Regional Park and Santa Monica Pier.  
• What to bring: Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics.  
• Special features: The performance will have a cinematic twist, taking place on a 1930s film set.  
• Cast: The cast includes Karah Son as Cio-Cio-San, Jonathan Tetelman as Pinkerton, Hyona Kim as Suzuki, and Michael Sumuel as Sharpless.  
• Conductor: James Conlon will conduct the performance.  
• Why it’s free: This simulcast performance is free thanks to the support of Los Angeles County.  

From the press release:

Directed by the Goya Award-winning Mario Gas, this stunning Madame Butterfly gets a cinematic twist as all the action takes place on a 1930s film set. Korean soprano Karah Son reprises her signature role as Puccini’s tragic heroine trying to find her way in a world dominated by men. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman is the callous Pinkerton, with Hyona Kim as Suzuki, Cio-Cio-San’s devoted maid who sees right past his gentlemanly facade, and Michael Sumuel as Sharpless, the sympathetic American consul. James Conlon, opens the season by conducting Puccini’s poignant and unforgettable score.