Singer

American naval captain B. F. Pinkerton is exploring the world in the name of pleasure. “Life is not worth living if I can’t win the best and fairest of each country,” he declares. He sets his sights on the best and fairest of this land (Japan) – the stunning Japanese beauty Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton is fascinated by her exotic beauty and marries her on sight, while Cio-Cio-San, enthralled by his American ways and promise of a modern life in America, falls wholeheartedly in love with the stranger. But Pinkerton already has a foot out the door, looking forward to the day he will marry “a real wife, a wife from America.” Several years pass, and Cio-Cio-San waits faithfully for her husband’s return from distant shores. Long abandoned by her family, she is alone with her servant Suzuki and a living memento of her American love. She refuses all offers of marriage, singing of her great hope for the day Pinkerton will return. The faithful Suzuki tries in vain to convince her to abandon hope. When his ship comes into port, Pinkerton is not alone. As dawn breaks, what will become of Butterfly’s great hope?

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Madama Butterfly

The Music Hall

Hannah, a transgender woman, discovers her gender identity and learns to love herself in this ground-breaking new 75-minute chamber opera. The role of Hannah will be portrayed by two of our Chrisman Studio Artist alumni, baritone Evan Bravos (Inman – Cold Mountain, Music Academy of the West ’19) singing Hannah before, and mezzo soprano Ashley Kay Armstrong (Olga, ’19) singing Hannah after. The 15 song work is accompanied by string quartet and spans Hannah’s childhood through adulthood. As One has garnered critical acclaim around the country since its 2014 premiere, and we are excited to premiere this work here for Santa Barbara audiences. According to Opera News it is “A piece that haunts and challenges its audience with questions about identity, authenticity, compassion and the human desire for self-love and peace.” Making their Opera Santa Barbara debuts are director Amy Hutchison and conductor Alexis Enyart. The music and concept are by Laura Kaminsky, with a libretto by Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed and film by Ms. Reed.

Ashley Kay Armstrong

Mezzo-soprano

Events

Nov 8, 2023

Madama Butterfly · Teatro Lirico d’Europa

25 - 27 Mar, 2022

As One · Opera Santa Barbara

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