Madama Butterfly Saturday, March 15, 2008; 8:00 PM Opera One of the most celebrated operas of all time, Puccini’s magnificent Madama Butterfly is one his most deeply-felt and imaginative operas the composer ever conceived. A story of unrequited love, passion, betrayal, honor, and death, the opera tells of a young Japanese girl who enters into a marriage with an American Naval officer in Japan. Deeply in love with her husband, the child bride Cio-Cio-San, whose name means butterfly, renounces her religious beliefs for her American soldier and in doing so looses the support and love of her family. Married on a whim, the naval officer considers the relationship temporary and soon leaves for America. Although deserted by her husband for three years and almost impoverished, Butterfly, holds onto her undying hope that he will return to her and their son. He returns, but with his American wife and to claim his child. Finally understanding that there is no hope left, Butterfly ends her unbearable misery with her father's sword, thus preserving her honor. Teatro Lirico D’Europa expertly brings the story to life with highly acclaimed performances by the soloists, complemented by a full orchestra, a 40-voice chorus, and the stunning costumes and sets necessary to present grand opera in a stylish European way. (English subtitles) F. M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre Verdi's La Traviata Thursday, March 25, 2010; 8:00 p.m. Opera Giuseppe Verdi's famous romantic masterpiece "La Traviata" is mounted here by the famed Teatro Lirico D'Europa and soars with a full orchestra, and a large, seasoned opera company. Sung in Italian with English subtitles, "La Traviata" tells the story of young Alfredo, who falls deeply in love with Violetta, a wealthy French courtesan. Without Alfredo's knowledge, his father visits Violetta and asks her to give up her relationship with his son because it has brought shame upon their family. Violetta selflessly agrees. But of course, this is not the end for our F. M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/wvia/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=649995http://events.publicbroadcasting.net/wvia/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=300503shapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1