Dim the lights and break out the tissues, because Ball State University students, faculty and guest professionals are presenting the tragic, romantic opera "Madama Butterfly" at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow in Emens Auditorium.
"We're talking about a standard opera repertoire piece that has been consistently performed for a hundred years," Joseph Levitt, assistant professor of voice and the opera's producer and director, said.
Eighteen students were cast and have attended stage rehearsals three or four times a week since October. They will perform in both solo and chorus numbers. The Ball State Symphony Orchestra, associate professor of music performance Craig Priebe, guest conductor Fiora Contino, Levitt and world-renowned soprano Joan Gibbons as Madama Butterfly complete the cast.
"Many people train their whole lives for this part," Levitt said. "It's not for kids. It takes years to understand the part, to sing it with panache and grace."
Gibbons has performed the role of Madama Butterfly more than 200 times, she said.
Gibbons worked with college students while teaching at the University of Houston and while operating a private vocal studio. However, Ball State's production of "Madama Butterfly" is her first appearance in a student production. Gibbons said she does not feel like she's in a student production because of the professional faculty and the well-prepared, enthusiastic students.
"Madama Butterfly" is one way Ball State can expose more of its students to international culture, Levitt said.
The plot surrounds the cultures of early 20th-century America and Japan as it follows the arranged marriage of a Japanese geisha to an American naval lieutenant. The opera will be performed in Italian with projected English subtitles.
One does not have to be an opera connoisseur to appreciate "Madama Butterfly," Levitt said.
"The characters are accessible, and people can relate to the culture clashes, especially in our world today," Levitt said. "It's certainly the clash of cultures that makes it tragic in both instances. ... they should know that they won't leave with a dry eye."
"Besides that, it's inexpensive," he said. "You can get to see this performance for less than a latte at Starbucks."
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