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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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 Lisbeth Stiffel, Invenergy, ITW, Randy L. & Melvin R.* Berlin, and Marion A. Cameron-Gray.
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus is generously sponsored by an Anonymous Lead Sponsor.
*deceased
Articles
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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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.
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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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
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