By guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez
The latest production heating up the stage at Lyric Opera in Chicago is “Madama Butterfly.” The show continues to April 12.
The famed opera by Puccini is getting a fresh new take this time around. “Madama Butterfly’s” story has long captured audiences with its themes of love, heartbreak, loyalty and betrayal on many levels. In this rendition of the production, directed by Lyric Opera’s chief artistic officer Matthew Ozawa, the setting becomes a world of virtual reality. It’s creatively directed and the visuals, from sets to lighting and costumes are stunning.
The design team bringing this show to life stars all-female, all-Japanese artists. About the production, Ozawa adds, “The VR setting let’s us be literal about the distorted, idealized view of Japan embedded in the opera.”
Soprano Karah Son, who stars as Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly) exhibits beautiful and passionate vocals throughout the production. Son is making her Lyric debut with this show. Other stellar vocalists starring in the show are Evan LeRoy Johnson, Nozomi Kato and Zachary Nelson.
It’s always wonderful hearing Puccini’s score and the cast and Lyric’s orchestra more than do it justice.
FYI: “Madama Butterfly” continues to April 12 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Visit lyricopera.org.
About Eloise
Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.
