Metropolitan Opera soprano Danielle Pastin
October 25–27, 2019 @ Tennessee Theatre
KNOXVILLE, TN: Long before there was “M. Butterfly” and “Miss Saigon” on Broadway, Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” presented the world with a heart-breaking look at a clash of cultures. The gripping, tragic story of the betrayed Japanese geisha girl and her American husband never fails to bring tears to the eyes. This is a perfect “first opera” for those looking for gorgeous music and a riveting theatrical experience.
Knoxville Opera’s main stage opera season opens with Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” starring Metropolitan Opera soprano Danielle Pastin as the betrayed Butterfly. Praised by Opera News as having “one of the most sheerly beautiful voices on the scene today,” Pastin made her Met debut as Masha in The Queen of Spades and more recently performed there as Nedda in Pagliacci.
After an absence of eight years, “Madame Butterfly” returns to the stage of the Tennessee Theatre Friday evening, Oct. 25 and Sunday afternoon, Oct. 27. Knoxville Opera’s luxury casting includes tenor Richard Troxell, who starred as Lt. Pinkerton in Frédéric Mitterand’s award-winning movie version of the opera.
Baritone Sean Anderson, who has previously appeared in Knoxville in seven comic roles, will bring his gravitas to the role of the U.S. Consul Sharpless. Mezzosoprano Lisa Chavez, one of America’s newest fiery Carmens, makes her Knoxville Opera debut as Suzuki, Butterfly’s faithful companion. David Crawford, currently appearing in the Met’s production of Macbeth, returns home to Knoxville to portray Butterfly’s malevolent Uncle Bonzo.
The production, sponsored by Dr. Sharon Lord, is staged by Brian Deedrick, former Artistic Director of Edmonton Opera, who has directed “Mefistofele” and seven other productions in Knoxville. Maestro Brian Salesky, the company’s executive and artistic director, conducts the production which includes the participation of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and many students from the University of Tennessee’s graduate opera program. Performances are presented in Italian with projected English translations/lyrics on a screen above the stage.
Opera tickets, starting at $25 for adults and $15 for students, may be purchased online at KnoxvilleOpera.com, or by calling the Box Office at (865) 524-0795 ext. 1, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Category: Opera
