Across The Sea

Would a sequel to Madama Butterfly bring in the NCIS investigators? After all, the tragedy falls right in the lap of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. And it makes sense that the top-rated TV drama would cross over to the most beloved of operas. Butterfly's a primetime-ready tearjerker about an innocent...

By Julie Peterson

January 26, 2012

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Would a sequel to Madama Butterfly bring in the NCIS investigators? After all, the tragedy falls right in the lap of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton. And it makes sense that the top-rated TV drama would cross over to the most beloved of operas. Butterfly's a primetime-ready tearjerker about an innocent teenage girl and a clueless player. The score's both gorgeous and respectable, thanks to Giacomo Puccini, the last of the powerhouse opera composers (so far). And thanks to surtitles, that little detail of not understanding Italian won't get in your way.

Chinese soprano Shu-Ying Li, who's interpreted the title role for audiences worldwide for more than 10 years, stars in Arizona Opera's production through Sunday, January 29. "Bring your handkerchief," Li told the El Paso Times.

Fri., Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 29, 2 p.m., 2012

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Julie has written for the Night & Day events calendar section since 2005. As a student at Arizona State, she received the Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout Creative Writing Award and the Theatre Medallion of Merit.

Contact: Julie Peterson