The Met Live in HD: Madama Butterfly (Puccini) – With Pre-Opera Talk
May 11
Showtime:
1 PM
Pre-Opera Talk by Dr. Morton Achter @ 11:45 AM
Following each performance, there will be a brief “post-opera” discussion
Extraordinary soprano Asmik Grigorian tackles the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. Tenor Jonathan Tetelman stars as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong reprises the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem is the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang takes the podium to conduct Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.
Approx. runtime: 3 hours, 15 minutes (1 intermission)
Pre-Opera Talk:
The third of Puccini’s “big three” (along with La bohème [1896] and Tosca [1900]), Madama Butterfly (1904) cemented the composer’s reputation as the successor to Verdi and aptly illustrates the nineteenth and early-twentieth century’s fascination with “orientalism.” Although Butterfly was a failure at first, it subsequently became one of the most popular operas. Why?
Dr. Morton Achter:
This is the fourteenth season of The Met: Live in HD for which Morton Achter, a resident of Topsham and formerly of New Harbor, will present a series of pre-opera talks prior to selected broadcasts at the Lincoln Theater. A retired college professor, Dr. Achter has taught about, produced, and directed opera and related stage genres for over sixty-five years. Educated at the Eastman School of Music and M.I.T., and holding a Ph.D. in music and theater history from the University of Michigan, locally he has directed productions for the Lincoln County Community Theater, River Company, Round Top Center for the Arts, and Bath’s Chocolate Church Arts Center. He has served on the Board of Directors of Midcoast Senior College in Brunswick, and has offered music- and theater-related courses for the organization since 2010.
This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.
The 2023-24 Schedule is subject to change per The Met Live in HD
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