Union Avenue Opera's "Madama Butterfly" Opens Friday

Ann Hoyt-Wazelle
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2013
All Rights Reserved

Union Avenue Opera continues its 19th Festival Season this Friday with Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly, presented by Raymond James and running July 12, 13, 19 & 20. Puccini's tragic tale of love and heartbreak returns to the Union Avenue Opera stage after its last production in 2003.

Mathew Edwardsen
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2013
All Rights Reserved

In the harbor village of Nagasaki at the turn of the 20th Century, love blossoms between Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly), a young Japanese geisha, and Lt. Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, an American naval officer. Their marital expectations clash in Madama Butterfly as passion and honor reverberate with the explosive force of Puccini's powerful score, featuring Butterfly's famous aria "Un bel dì" and the exquisite "Flower Duet." A mother, alone and banished from her people, Butterfly pines for her husband. He returns only to humiliate and betray her beyond what she can endure.

THE CAST

Union Avenue Opera presents a cast of veteran artists. Soprano Ann Hoyt-Wazelle, who last appeared as Valencienne in 2009's Die lustige Witwe, returns to portray Cio-Cio-San. Tenor Mathew Edwardsen returns to sing his tenth B. F. Pinkerton, a role he first sang when making his company debut in UAO's 2003 production of Butterfly. Last seen as King Melchior in 2009's Amahl and the Night Visitors, Baritone Robert Garner sings the role of Sharpless, U.S. consul at Nagasaki. Tenor Marc Schapman, who sang the role of fire god Loge in last season's Das Rheingold, sings the role of the matchmaker Goro. Returning after her critically-lauded portrayal of Mrs. Patrick de Rocher in 2011's Dead Man Walking, Mezzo Soprano Debra Hillabrand portrays Suzuki, Cio-Cio-San's maid.

Ann Hoyt-Wazelle & Mathew Edwardsen
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2013
All Rights Reserved

Mezzo Soprano Emma Sorenson, who made her UAO debut in the ensemble of Un Ballo in Maschera last season, sings the role of Kate Pinkerton. Baritone David Dillard, who sang Polyphemus in last season's Acis and Galatea, portrays the Bonze, Cio-Cio-San's uncle. Soprano Melissa Payton, Mezzo Soprano Debby Lennon, Soprano Tamara Miller-Campbell and Baritone Paul Robinson sing the roles of Cio-Cio-San's cousin, mother, aunt and uncle (Yakuside), respectively. Tenor Anthony Heinemann, most recently featured in the Jazz Trio of Trouble in Tahiti, sings the role of Prince Yamadori. Last seen in the ensemble of Acis and Galatea, Baritone Nathan Ruggles sings the Imperial Commissioner alongside debut artist Baritone Jay Lucas Chacon as the Registrar. Six year old Vincent Perez, of Evanston, Illinois, portrays Dolore, Butterfly's son. Seventeen local professional singers comprise the ensemble.

Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2013
All Rights Reserved

THE CREW

Artistic Director and Conductor Scott Schoonover leads a local orchestra in the pit. Director of the Voice Program at University of Indiana-Evansville, Stage Director Jon Truitt makes his Union Avenue Opera debut, having previously collaborated with Maestro Schoonover on productions of The Merry Widow (Muddy River Opera Company) and La Traviata (Asheville Lyric Opera). Lydia Crandall also makes her UAO debut as Stage Manager. Designers Patrick Huber (sets & lighting) and Teresa Doggett (costumes, wigs & makeup) form the design team of Madama Butterfly.

Mathew Edwardsen & Debra Hillabrand
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2013
All Rights Reserved

MEDIA

Local media is all aflutter about this Butterfly. Town and Style magazine profiles Union Avenue Opera and its production sponsor Raymond James. Brittany Nay of Ladue News interviews Scott Schoonover on Butterfly and the opera company's future endeavors. Sarah Bryan Miller interviews the maestro and previews the production in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Patricia Rice speaks with cast, conductor and director for the St. Louis Beacon.

DETAILS

Performances of Madama Butterfly run July 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Opera, 733 N. Union Blvd. Production sung in Italian with projected English supertitles. Tickets may be purchased online at www.unionavenueopera.org or by calling 314-361-2881.