STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” had a disastrous premiere when it premiered on Feb. 17, 1904, in Teatro all a Scala in Milan. But it went on to become one of the most performed, beloved operas worldwide.

Now, in the age of political correctness, the opera is again under attack—this time for its insensitive ethnic stereotyping.

Mark Junkert, the general director of Opera Idaho, will offer his analysis of the controversies that have plagued this opera during a free presentation at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Ketchum’s Community Library.

Junkert will also address what opera companies are doing to address contemporary issues involving the opera.

Opera Idaho will present a semi-staged version of “Madama Butterfly” in association with Sun Valley Opera at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Tickets start at $18 and are available at www.operaidaho.org.

It will present a fully staged version at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Morrison Center in Boise. Tickets for the Boise performance range from $25.50 to $76.50.

The opera tells the story of a trusting young geisha who falls in love with an American Navy lieutenant only to be abandoned by him. Her loyal servant Suzuki and Sharpless, the sympathetic American consul, do all they can but are unable to avert tragedy.

Vanessa Isiguen, who performed the role for Florida Grand Opera in 2014, will sing the role of Madama Butterfly and Chz’men Williams-Ali, who sang the role of Pinkerton for Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center,  will sing B.F. Pinkerton.