BY KAREN BOSSICK

The classic tale of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will be the star of the Metropolitan Opera’s live simulcast on Saturday.

The screening will be presented by Sun Valley Opera and Broadway at 10:55 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Magic Lantern Cinemas in Ketchum. It will be the final live simulcast presented by the Metropolitan Opera this season.

Soprano Asmik Grigorian will tackle the role of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy. A 15-year-old geisha known as Madam Butterfly, she falls in love with and marries a U.S. Navy lieutenant at the turn of the 20th century, not knowing that he plans to take “a real, American wife,” eventually.

True to form, he does not return for many years. But Cio-Cio-San never wavers in her insistence that he has not deserted her. The son she had with Pinkerton is named “Sorrow,” she tells others, “But, when his father returns, he will be called ‘Joy.’ ”

Eventually, Pinkerton does return, but he has a new American wife at his side.

Tenor Jonathan Tetelman will star as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong will reprise the role of the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritone Lucas Meachem will sing the role of the American consul Sharpless.

Anthony Minghella’s production will be conducted by maestro Xian Zhang.

Tickets are $20 and $22 and can be purchased at the door; the theater accepts only cash.

COMING UP:

Sun Valley Opera and Broadway is gearing up for Vive La France—a Bastille Day Celebration and Concert--on July 14. The concert will feature Natalia Santaliz, who endeared herself to audience members at a concert held this winter at Gail Severn Gallery. She will be joined by Jordan Weatherston Pitts.

Learn more at https://www.sunvalleyopera.com/.