MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Composer Giacomo Puccini
Librettists Luigi Illica + Giuseppe Giacosa
Betrayal.
Survival.
Daring to believe in the American Dream.
Experience Butterfly like never before. A young Japanese woman falls for an American naval officer who promises more than he delivers. Director Mo Zhou reimagines Puccini’s beloved classic through the real stories of Japanese war brides in this transporting tale with a gutting conclusion.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 2 – 2:00 p.m. • NEW MATINEE!
Friday, November 7 – 7:30 p.m.
50% off for ages 18 & under—call 403-262-7286 (M-F, 1-5 pm)
All individual tickets include a 3.5% service fee
ARTISTS
Conductor - Jonathan Brandani
Stage Director - Mo Zhou
CAST
Cio-Cio-San - Yasko Sato
Pinkerton - Matthew White
Suzuki - Nina Yoshida Nelsen
Sharpless - Phillip Addis
Goro - Julius Ahn
Uncle Bonze - Stephano Park
Yamadori/Imperial Commissioner - Luka Kawabata
Kate Pinkerton - Alessia Vitali
Registrar - Luke Noftall
Yakusidé - George Theodorakopoulos
Cio-Cio-San’s Mother - Maria Milenic
Cio-Cio-San’s Aunt - Kelsey Ronn
Cio-Cio-San’s Cousin - Katelyn Bird
Sorrow - Nela Anna Pilecki
Featuring - Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Lighting Designer - Marie Yokoyama
Costume Designer - Mariko Ohigashi
Set Designer - Chika Shimizu
Intimacy Director - Anastasia St. Amand
Stage Manager - Shelby-Jai Flick
Assistant Stage Manager - Jennifer Yeung
Assistant Stage Manager - Kate Pallesen
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Sung in Italian with English translations
Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Opera Talk one hour before the show. More info
Student Dress Rehearsal: October 30 at 7:00 p.m. More info
Run time is approximately 3 hours, including one intermission between Acts I and II
Seating is assigned (View map)
Mobile ticket access: details on how to find and use your mobile tickets
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Curious to know more about this production? Read our exclusive interviews with the creative team:
Mo Zhou, stage director: “This production finally gives me space to tell the story through my own cultural lens, centering her agency and humanity rather than her myth.”
Chika Shimizu, set designer: “Throughout the performance, the audience looks out over the ocean. I hope they come to share Butterfly’s perspective, catching a glimpse of hope — an escape toward a better future.”
Mariko Ohigashi, costume designer: “My grandmother is a hibakusha, a survivor of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. She was just 14 years old when she experienced it.”