Madama Butterfly : 5 of 5

I have loved opera since my days of sitting in the University of Oklahoma listening lab and watching videos when I should have been home. I have seen quite a few productions, most of them in Tulsa, and my previous favorite was Tulsa Opera's production of Rigoletto (my favorite opera is Don Giovanni, though). All of this background is needed to say that Austin Lyric Opera's production of Madama Butterfly was the single best opera performance I have seen. The sets and lighting are sparse but beautiful (this is known as the "West Coast Butterfly"), the music is fantastic Puccini, of course, but the outstanding acting and vocal prowess of Cio-Cio-San herself brought me to tears. An absolutely fantastic way for ALO to start the season!