Hear the most popular opera in North America, full of Puccini’s sumptuous music interwoven with Japanese motifs. This heartbreaking tale of love, self-delusion, and betrayal takes place in Nagasaki in the early 1890s. A young geisha (Cho-cho-san) deserted by her husband (Pinkerton), a U.S. Naval Officer, chooses to die honorably, rather than suffer in shame after learning of the betrayal. Special moments include: the soaring Act One Love Duet, and the Act 2 sighting of Pinkerton’s ship and joyous Flower Duet where the fragrance of Spring is released as flower petals are strewn everywhere.

Performances