LA Opera Readies For The Debut Of Madame Butterfly In November

Placido Domingo the world famous tenor and now general director of the LA Opera will bring a slew of acts to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this coming opera season. Crowds at the Los Angeles venue have been treated to the likes of Giuseppe Verdi's "The Two Foscari" and Mozart's "Don Giovanni," so far.

Now he will give the audiences Giacomo Puccini's "Madame Butterfly," directed by Ron Daniels that will be staged from Nov. 17 to Dec. 9.The opera is two acts long and Mr. Daniels has chosen a lengthy cast to help bring this tale set in Japan to life.

For one of the lead character in the opera "Cio-Cio-San," Daniels has chosen Ukrainian soprano Oksana Dyka to play the role. "Cio-Cio-San's," love and American naval officer "Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton," will be played by Brandon Jovanovich.

Milena Kitic will play the character known as "Suzuki," while the role of "Sharpless," will be played by Eric Owens. "Goro," is being handed to LA Opera debutant Rodell Rosel. Joining him will be fellow debutant Stefan Szkafarowsky and he will play as "Bonze."

A part of the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program alumnus, Museop Kim will be in charge of the character "Prince Yamadori." D'Ana Lombard is currently a Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program member and she will be given the chance to play as "Kate Pinkerton,"

Rounding off the cast will be the roles of the "Imperial Commissioner "and "Official Registrar." Gabriel Vamvilescu will be the former while Hunter Philips a Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program member will perform as the latter.

Ron Daniels, to go along with his cast has enlisted the aid of conductor Grant Gershon to handle the music and Michael Yeargan who is the scenic and costume designer. For lighting designer Stephen Strawbridge this will be the first time he will be working at the opera house.

"Madame Butterfly," is the work of Giacomo Puccini and is set at the turn of the century in Japan where an American naval officer "B.F. Pinkerton," falls in love with a Japanese girl "Cio-Cio-San," who he marries. This tale of love ultimately leads to heartbreak, sorrow and then death for one of the main characters.