Re-imagined in Post WW2 Nagasaki, Puccini’s timeless tragic tale of love centers around Cho Cho San, a young geisha with a heart of gold and Lieutenant Pinkerton, the cad who breaks it. Pinkerton, a Naval Officer in Japan during the post war occupation, falls for Cho Cho San, and decides to ‘marry’ this beautiful Japanese girl, enjoy himself with cultural approval, and then sail happily on back to America unshackled. Pinkerton knows that once abandoned, Cho-Cho will be free to marry whomever she chooses from amongst the Japanese people. When Pinkerton’s ship sails out of port, Butterfly waits patiently for her husband to come home.

Three years pass. Ever with her eye toward the harbour, Butterfly holds a secret delight that she eagerly wishes to surprise her husband with: their son. Pinkerton arrives in Japan with his American bride by his side. He goes to Butterfly to make his apologies and to finally end what Butterfly for three years has cherished in her heart.

Puccini’s heartbreaking masterpiece (containing one of his most memorable melodies, the beautiful “Un bel di”) promises to transport us to the exotic romantic, and ultimately to the tragic for Cho Cho San. Join us under the stars this summer in Giovanni Caboto Park. You won’t want to miss it!

$65 Ticket includes a Gala reception with appetizers and cash bar sponsored by local businesses along Via Italia (95 Street) and the opera performance under a tent in Giovanni Caboto Park. Tickets are available at tixonthesquare.ca or calling (780) 420-1757, and at Zocalo.

What critics and audiences are saying about Mercury Opera:

“…positively sexy..” Opera Canada

“Coolest opera in the coolest venue… Opera everyone will like.” SUN Media

“Blows away all the pretentious cobwebs of the art form…entertaining, and accessible…musically virtuosic.” Edmonton Journal

“You did not need to know a thing about opera to be utterly absorbed in Mercury Opera’s presentation …stuffy and elitist, not applicable…clever and ingenious” AnE Vibe

“…a creative tour de force..” Xanthe Couture Press Plus

We are also putting out a call for volunteer staff to crew, secure, take tickets, usher and guide audiences from the gala event to the tent. For more information, visit mercuryopera.com.