See what audiences are saying about Lyric's production of Madama Butterfly
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Madama Butterfly
March 14. 2026 - April 12. 2026
Upcoming Dates
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March 14. 2026 - April 12. 2026
A timeless tragedy — in dazzling contemporary technicolor. Madama Butterfly
Meet Cio-Cio-San — known as Madama Butterfly — a faithful but doomed geisha in love with B.F. Pinkerton. Everyone but Butterfly knows the Navy lieutenant will break her heart and ruin her life.
Opera newcomers will be swept away by the familiar melodies, gorgeous costuming, and colorful sets — and seasoned opera fans will thrill at this beautiful, thoughtful production from Lyric Opera’s own Matthew Ozawa that brings new dimension to an age-old story.
Conducted by Domingo Hindoyan and starring Karah Son, one of the leading interpreters of Butterfly in our time, Puccini’s soaring and often heartbreaking melodies unite with captivating stagecraft for a singular experience.
- Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
- Running Time: 2 hours and 55 minutes, including 1 intermission
- Location: Lyric Opera House
- Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Sponsors
Lyric’s presentation of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, Lisbeth Stiffel, Invenergy, ITW, Randy L. & Melvin R.* Berlin, Marion A. Cameron-Gray, and the Gramma Fisher Foundation of Marshalltown, Iowa, with additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus is generously sponsored by an Anonymous Lead Sponsor.
*deceased
Videos
Photos
Karah Son, Evan LeRoy Johnson and the Company of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
The Company of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
Evan LeRoy Johnson as Pinkerton in Lyric's production of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
Siaho Hu and Zachary Nelson in Lyric's production of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
The Company of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Todd Rosenberg
Karah Son, Florence Agpalo, and Nozomi Kato in Lyric's production of Madama Butterfly.
Photo: Andrew Cioffi
Articles
Explore "The Art of Culture," an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions "Madama Butterfly," "El último sueño de Frida y Diego," and "safronia."
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by Dr. Kunio Hara
Matthew Ozawa's new production of "Madama Butterfly" offers a boldly relevant, gorgeous reimagining for the present day. Explore the history of Puccini's famous opera and see how the work has been reimagined through different cultural lenses for audiences around the world.
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Alongside director Matthew Ozawa, meet the talented team of Japanese artists bringing Lyric's new production of "Madama Butterfly" to the stage — Yuki Nakase Link (lighting designer), Kimie Nishikawa from the dots design collective (set designer), and Maiko Matsushima (costume designer).
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From sweeping scores to dramatically drawn-out deaths, the similarities between opera and video games are plentiful. See how these worlds collide in Matthew Ozawa's acclaimed production of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" at Lyric this spring.
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At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings
At the midway point of the season, a look ahead at the bold mix of Lyric’s offerings
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Director Matthew Ozawa offers an inside look at Lyric’s bold 2025/26 production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly which balances tradition with new ideas.
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As we allow ourselves to become immersed in the fantasy of Japan portrayed in Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," it's illuminating to consider through whose lens we are viewing this opera. In this director's note, Matthew Ozawa explains his vision for Lyric's upcoming production.
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Post show March 25, 2026
Artist Talkback
Artist Talkback
Join us immediately after the performance on Wednesday, March 25, as Dr. Elinor Olin speaks with Madama Butterfly stage director, Matthew Ozawa and members of the cast: Karah Son, Nozomi Kato, and Evan LeRoy Johnson about their approach to bringing to life this gorgeous operatic fantasy.
March 14 through April 19
The Art of Culture
The Art of Culture
Explore The Art of Culture, an exhibit in the Grand Foyer and Mezzanine celebrating Japanese, Mexican, and African American cultural traditions through visual art. The exhibit deepens the connection to Lyric Opera of Chicago productions Madama Butterfly, El último sueño de Frida y Diego, and safronia, featuring works by Meredith Stein inspired by geisha culture, Mexican American artist Carina Yepez, and selections from Vanessa Charlot’s Down in the Delta. Arrive early to experience this special showcase that brings cultural history and contemporary artistry into conversation with the stories on stage. Helping to bring this exhibit to life, we are proud to partner with the Floating World Gallery.
Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Madama Butterfly Opera Insights
Madama Butterfly Opera Insights
Join the conversation between Matthew Ozawa, Lyric Opera of Chicago's Chief Artistic Officer and the director of Madama Butterfly, the Japanese artists Kyoko Miyabe and Tatsu Aoki, and Northwestern's Tara Fickle as they dive into the legacy of this classic opera and the importance of retelling and reshaping one-sided narratives. Together, they will delve into insights and actions that we can take in modern society to uphold and honor our proud heritages.
Pre-opera talk
Speaker: Dr. Elinor Olin
Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.
Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.
Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.
A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below.
© 2025/26 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.
Madama Butterfly COMMENTARY by Dr. Elinor Olin
Artists
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Karah Son *
Cio-Cio-San
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Evan LeRoy Johnson *
Pinkerton
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Nozomi Kato *
Suzuki
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Zachary Nelson
Sharpless
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Rodell Rosel **
Goro
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Jongwon Han *
Bonze
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Sihao Hu ***
Yamadori
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Alexis Peart ***
Kate Pinkerton
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Christopher Humbert, Jr. ***
Imperial Commissioner
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Sankara Harouna ***
Registrar
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Kimberly McCord
Cousin
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Yvette Smith
Mother
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Jared V. Esguerra
Uncle
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Emily Price
Aunt
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Domingo Hindoyan
Conductor
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Matthew Ozawa
Director
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Michael Black
Chorus Director
dots *
Set Designer
Maiko Matsushima *
Costume Designer
Yuki Nakase Link
Lighting Designer
* Lyric debut
** Ryan Opera Center alumnus
Program book
Go inside this production of Madama Butterfly with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.
Credit
A coproduction of Cincinnati Opera, Detroit Opera, Utah Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera. Scenery constructed by Cincinnati Opera. Costumes constructed by Cincinnati Opera, Costume Works, Inc. and Utah Opera.
Photo credit: John Shaw/Lyric Opera of Chicago