November 23rd, 2019 - 12:30 pm to 3:45 pm
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: LIVE IN HD “MADAMA BUTTERFLY” Opening at the Cinema Art Theater
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is proud to present the Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD broadcast of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” on Sat, Nov 23 at 12:30 pm, Mon, Nov 25 at 12:30 pm and Tue, Nov 26 at 6 pm. Please note that screenings are held at the Cinema Art Theater and will be shown as a recorded presentation after being filmed live.
The title character of Madama Butterfly—a young Japanese geisha who clings to the belief that her arrangement with a visiting American naval officer is a loving and permanent marriage - is one of the defining roles in opera. The story triggers ideas about cultural and sexual imperialism for people far removed from the opera house, and film, Broadway, and popular culture in general have riffed endlessly on it. The lyric beauty of Puccini’s score, especially the music for the thoroughly believable lead role, has made “Butterfly” timeless.
Leading sopranos Hui He and Ana María Martínez share the heartbreaking title role of the doomed geisha, with tenors Piero Pretti and Andrea Carè as the American naval officer who abandons her. Paulo Szot and Markus Brück share the role of Sharpless, and Elizabeth DeShong is Suzuki, alternating with Maria Zifchak. Pier Giorgio Morandi is on the podium for Anthony Minghella’s sweeping production, a perennial audience favorite. [Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Run time approximately 3 hours, 15 minutes, including two intermissions.]
In addition to the opera performance, the Live in HD series features Met opera stars conducting live interviews with cast and/or various production crew members while showing behind-the-scene workings. This production is the tenth in The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD series for the 2019-20 season.
Admission for The Met: Live in HD broadcasts is $25 for adults; $22 for RBFS members, Met members, and seniors (65+); $15 for students (with ID) and children (12 and under). Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater 30 minutes before the screening.
The mission of the RBFS is promoting cinematic arts and providing education, cultural enrichment, and opportunities for engagement for our diverse communities and audiences. The Film Society sponsors ongoing screenings, special events, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (November 5 – 15, 2020). Having met all the requirements for best practices in nonprofit management, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society is accredited by the Standards for Excellence Institute®. The Film Society is funded, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com. For more information on this series, other events, or to become a member, visit the Rehoboth Beach Film Society website at rehobothfilm.com or call 302-645-9095.