Opera Philadelphia Presents 'Madame Butterfly' at Academy of Music April 26-May 5

Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly' has been a classic for more than a century. Opera Philadelphia is adding a fresh perspective to the story."In the original production it's a Japanese girl," says Karen Chia-ling Ho, who plays Cio Cio San, the butterfly."I will be the spirit of the doll," says Ho.

"People think about Cio Cio San, the butterfly, they think it's a very submissive Japanese woman," says Ho. "This opera is breaking up the stereotype."B.F. Pinkerton, a U.S. naval officer, meets Cio Cio San in Japan.She falls in love, but he's not serious about the relationship. "He is looking forward to actually have his quote-unquote, 'proper wife,' in United States later," she says."Cio Cio San was a purchased doll for him, so she's heartbroken," says Izumihara.

The figurative doll becomes an actual character in the show, created by Philadelphia-based puppet artist, Hua Hua Zhang.Ho says she was taught how to manipulate the puppet, to humanize it a little bit for audiences."I wish she, Cio Cio San, the character, believed in herself, rather than believing in Pinkerton," says Izumihara.

She says she's hoping to initiate a dialogue of "where Asian communities are with art and representation" with this production.

Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)

Opera Philadelphia Academy Of Music Live Shows Plays Asian American Arts Japanese Theatre

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