Gorgeous and Tragic in Denver: Madama Butterfly

Bobby Crew

Opera Colorado will present Giacomo Puccini’s timeless tale of tragic love and clashing cultures — “Madama Butterfly” — starting Nov. 15 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera house.

The moving work is the story is of a beautiful young Japanese woman who is both loved and betrayed by an American naval officer at the dawn of the 20th Century.

“Madama Butterfly” will feature Chinese soprano Xiu Ying Li (pronounced Shu-ying Li) plays the role of Cio-Cio San, and is known throughout the world for her continued performances as Cio Cio.

“Singing this role is more difficult than some of the other roles, I feel,” she says. “It’s always a great challenge — not only from the vocal technique but also from the character’s dramatic transformation and body movement.”

Xiu Ying studied music in Shanghai, and then moved to New York to study at Mannes College of Music with renowned voice teacher Ruth Falcon. She obtained the role of Cio-Cio San in one of her very first gigs.

“I [kept] this role in my pocket for 12 years,” she says. “Puccini’s music is always my favorite music, the beautiful melodies, especially in ‘Butterfly,’” Li tells Out Front. “She’s very young, very human, and full of personality. I really love performing as Cio-Cio in the show. The music itself and the emotion inside of her is just tremendous. She is really brave … for the honor of love.”

If you’ve never been to an opera, this is the one to see as “Madama Butterfly” is one of the most frequently performed operas around the world.

“It’s not complicated to understand,” Xiu Ying says. “Just make sure you bring enough tissue — it’s just so sad. The music is so gorgeous and it’s easy to catch the story. You can very easily be touched by everything that happens on stage.”

“Madama Butterfly” is directed by Keturah Stickann, who spent time in Japan studying the culture and movement so the production features traditional costumes and sets. The show is conducted by Opera Colorado’s Artistic Advisor Ari Pelto, and also features notable singers Dinyar Vania as B.F. Pinkerton, Erica Brookhyser as Suzuki, and John Hancock as Sharpless.

The performances of Madama Butterfly will last for only two weekends. Find tickets at OperaColorado.org