Madame Butterfly Composer Giacomo Puccini Librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Based On the works of John Luther Long and David Belasco Company San Francisco Opera Association Location San Francisco, CA Venue War Memorial Opera House Season 2010-2011 Language Italian Creative/Crew Conductor Julian Kovatchev Nicola Luisotti Production Harold Prince Director José Maria Condemi Set Designer(s) Clarke Dunham Costume Designer(s) Florence Klotz Original Lighting Designer Ken Billington Lighting Designer Christine Binder Chorus Director Ian Robertson Assistant Conductor Giuseppe Finzi Prompter Jonathan Khuner Musical Preparation John Churchwell Bryndon Hassman Ernest Fredric Knell Allen Perriello Supertitles Jerry Sherk Francesca Zambello Assistant Stage Director(s) Morgan Robinson Stage Manager(s) Rachel Henneberry Costume Supervisor Kristi Johnson Production Super Captain Eliza Fox Cast Lt. B. F. Pinkerton Stefano Secco Goro Thomas Glenn Suzuki Daveda Karanas Sharpless Quinn Kelsey Brian Mulligan(11/17,21,27) Cio-Cio-San, Madama Butterfly Svetla Vassileva Daniela Dessì(11/5,11,14,17,21,27) Imperial Commissioner Bojan Knežević Official Registrar Jere Torkelsen Uncle Yakuside Christopher Jackson Cousin Carole Schaffer Mother Rachelle Perry Aunt Ann Hughes The Bonze Christian Van Horn Prince Yamadori Austin Kness Trouble, Cio-Cio-San's Child Rebecca Chen Kate Pinkerton Sara Gartland Show Dates Tue, Oct 12 2010, 8pm Fri, Oct 15 2010, 8pm Wed, Oct 20 2010, 7:30pm Sat, Oct 23 2010, 8pm Tue, Oct 26 2010, 7:30pm Fri, Oct 29 2010, 8pm Fri, Nov 5 2010, 8pm Thu, Nov 11 2010, 7:30pm Sun, Nov 14 2010, 2pm Wed, Nov 17 2010, 7:30pm Sun, Nov 21 2010, 2pm Sat, Nov 27 2010, 8pm Time and Place Late nineteenth century, Nagasaki Scenes ACT I A house and garden overlooking the Bay of Nagasaki INTERMISSION Act II The same, three years later Media Image Stage Set, Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The little Nagasaki house of Cio-Cio-San, where both of the opera's acts take place Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Daveda Karanas (Suzuki), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Svetla Vassileva as Cio-Cio-San, known to some as Madama Butterfly Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Chorus, Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) arrives for her wedding, accompanied by her friends (Women of the San Francisco Opera Chorus) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Thomas Glenn (Goro), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) meets Goro (Thomas Glenn), who can arrange for everything -- and everyone Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Thomas Glenn (Goro), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Goro (Thomas Glenn) is pondering his next transaction Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Bojan Knežević (The Imperial Commissioner), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The Imperial Commissioner (Bojan Knezević) starts the marriage ceremony for Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) and Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Christian Van Horn (The Bonze), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The Bonze (Christian Van Horn) is not convinced that Cio-Cio-San's decision to marry Pinkerton is the right one Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Butterfly (Svetla Vassileva) and Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) enjoy a moment alone on their wedding night Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. A westernized Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) at the beginning of the second act Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Thomas Glenn (Goro), Austin Kness (Prince Yamadori), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Goro (Thomas Glenn) stays in the shadow while Prince Yamadori (Austin Kness) comes to call on Cio-Cio-San Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Quinn Kelsey (Sharpless), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Butterfly (Svetla Vassileva) receives a visit from the U.S. consul Sharpless (Quinn Kelsey) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Daveda Karanas (Suzuki), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Suzuki (Daveda Karanas) and Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) have seen a white ship, and they hope it's Pinkerton's Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Sara Gartland (Kate Pinkerton), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. An unusual visitor arrives, in the person of Kate Pinkerton (Sara Gartland) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Image Rebecca Chen ("Trouble"), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Cio-Cio-San's child nicknamed "Trouble" is portrayed by Rebecca Chen Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera Sponsors The performance of October 23rd is sponsored by United Airlines The performance of October 29th is sponsored by Chevron The performance of November 17th is sponsored by Gloria Ferrer Acknowledgements This presentation is made possible by Elizabeth and Burgess Jamieson Additional support provided by Chevron Legacy Commission Lyric Opera of Chicago production Notes Nicola Luisotti conducted: 10/12, 10/15, 10/20, 10/23, 10/26, and 10/29. Julian Kovatchev conducted: 11/5, 11/11, 11/14, 11/17, 11/21, and 11/27. SUPERNUMERARIES Nellie E. Barrera Joseph Friedman John W. Martin Gilbert Martinez Adam Reeser KABUKI ASSISTANTS GROUP Rona Alexander Joan Dickson Eliza Fox Sherman Lee Helen Lew Yvette Forte Rosedale Paul Ziller
Image Stage Set, Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The little Nagasaki house of Cio-Cio-San, where both of the opera's acts take place Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Daveda Karanas (Suzuki), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Svetla Vassileva as Cio-Cio-San, known to some as Madama Butterfly Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Chorus, Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) arrives for her wedding, accompanied by her friends (Women of the San Francisco Opera Chorus) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Thomas Glenn (Goro), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) meets Goro (Thomas Glenn), who can arrange for everything -- and everyone Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Thomas Glenn (Goro), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Goro (Thomas Glenn) is pondering his next transaction Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Bojan Knežević (The Imperial Commissioner), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The Imperial Commissioner (Bojan Knezević) starts the marriage ceremony for Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) and Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Christian Van Horn (The Bonze), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. The Bonze (Christian Van Horn) is not convinced that Cio-Cio-San's decision to marry Pinkerton is the right one Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Butterfly (Svetla Vassileva) and Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) enjoy a moment alone on their wedding night Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. A westernized Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) at the beginning of the second act Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Thomas Glenn (Goro), Austin Kness (Prince Yamadori), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Goro (Thomas Glenn) stays in the shadow while Prince Yamadori (Austin Kness) comes to call on Cio-Cio-San Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Quinn Kelsey (Sharpless), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Butterfly (Svetla Vassileva) receives a visit from the U.S. consul Sharpless (Quinn Kelsey) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Daveda Karanas (Suzuki), Svetla Vassileva (Cio-Cio-San), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Suzuki (Daveda Karanas) and Cio-Cio-San (Svetla Vassileva) have seen a white ship, and they hope it's Pinkerton's Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Sara Gartland (Kate Pinkerton), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. An unusual visitor arrives, in the person of Kate Pinkerton (Sara Gartland) Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
Image Rebecca Chen ("Trouble"), Madama Butterfly, Giacomo Puccini. San Francisco Opera, 2010-11. Photographer: Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera. Cio-Cio-San's child nicknamed "Trouble" is portrayed by Rebecca Chen Credit Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera