Opera Grand Rapids

05/20/2026

And just like that, our 2025–26 season has come to a close. 🦋

Thank you for joining us this past weekend for Madama Butterfly and for supporting a season that celebrated AAPI voices, new collaborations, and powerful storytelling. Under the leadership of Guest Artistic Director Mo Zhou, this production brought together an incredible team of artists whose care, artistry, and lived experiences shaped every moment on stage.

To our audiences, donors, artists, volunteers, and community partners — thank you for showing up for opera in such a meaningful way this season. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

We’re leaving this season feeling grateful, inspired, and excited to welcome you back again soon. 💫

Director: Mo Zhou
Conductor: Judith Yan
Chorus Director: Bill Bokhout
Associate Director: Madeleine Snow .snow
Technical Director: John AC Depres
Japanese Culture and Movement Director: Asuka Morinaga Derfler Repetiteur: Caleb Wenzel@calebwenzelmusic
Scene Design: Chika Shimizu@chikashimizu
Costume Design: Mariko Ohigashi .maringo
Lighting Design: Marie Yokoyama .yokoyama
Wig & Makeup Designer: Alita Lopez
Kimono Dresser: Mayumi Balfour & Kaori Schau

Cast:
Cio-Cio-San: Karen Vuong
Lt. Pinkerton: Eric Taylor
Suzuki: Sophia Maekawa
Sharpless: SeungHyeon Baek
Goro: Taka Komagata
Yamadori/Imperial Commissioner: Yichen Xue
B***e: Robert Robert Feng
Kate Pinkerton: Catherine Gispert

Stage Manager: Brett Finley
Assistant Stage Manager: Patricia Garvey & Emily Holter
Photo Credit: Cory Weaver

05/15/2026

Madama Butterfly Opens Tonight! 🦋

We are excited to welcome you to opening weekend at DeVos Performance Hall this Friday and Saturday.

Please review the important information below to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.


**IMPORTANT**

All seating assignments were sent to patrons through Ticketmaster.

Before arriving at the theater, verify that your digital tickets have come from Ticketmaster with specific seating assignments.

If you are unable to locate your tickets, please search your email inbox before calling the OGR box office.

👉Performance Information
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
House Opens: 7:00 PM
Performance Begins: 7:30 PM

We encourage patrons to arrive early to allow time for parking, security screening, and seating prior to curtain.

📲Mobile Tickets:
Please save your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before arriving at the theater. Screenshots will not scan for entry.

If attending with a group, we recommend entering together.

Please review DeVos security information and venue policies. Plan accordingly.

05/15/2026

Thank you The Rapidian for the review!

Puccini's story of a Japanese girl married and abandoned by an American businessman comes to life again in Opera Grand Rapids' magnificent production.

05/14/2026

$5 student tickets are still available for Madama Butterfly! 🎟️

If you’ve been meaning to make it to the opera this season, this is your chance. Join us May 15 & 16 at DeVos Performance Hall for our final mainstage production.

Call our box office to reserve at 616.451.2741 ext3

05/14/2026

We asked conductor Judith Yan to share her thoughts on Madama Butterfly, her connection to the work, and what makes this production feel especially meaningful right now.

Swipe to read her reflections ahead of opening weekend. 🎶🦋

05/13/2026

Scroll through to explore the fascinating history of Madame Butterfly and the Nagasaki inspiration that shaped this opera. 🗾

05/08/2026

Understanding the character of Cio-Cio-San 🌸

A closer look at her story, her world, and the choices that shape one of opera’s most complex and enduring characters.

Madama Butterfly at DeVos Hall.
May 15&16

05/08/2026

Last nights kimono lesson with the chorus. 👘

Learning the technique, detail, and care behind these traditional garments was a special experience. Many of the kimono featured in our production of Madama Butterfly are authentic vintage pieces, hand-selected and coordinated by costume designer Mariko Ohigashi.

Several obi were hand-sewn by her mother, and many of the fabrics and garments have been passed down through generations within her family.

The production also features personal heirlooms and props from set designer Chika Shimizu and cultural consultant Asuka Morinaga — meaningful pieces that have lived through and survived WWII.

Grateful to learn not only the movement and dressing techniques, but also the history and care carried within each piece.

See Madama Butterfly live at DeVos Performance Hall 🦋

May 15 & 16

05/06/2026

Thank you to all who joined us for a thoughtful discussion on AAPI representation and the future of opera at KDL last night. 💫

Big thanks to our Guest Artistic Director, Mo Zhou, Em, and Karen Vuong (our brilliant Cio-Cio-San) for leading such a meaningful conversation.

05/06/2026

A closer look at this stunning uchikake, a traditional Japanese wedding kimono. Generously donated by one of our longtime patron’s, Barbara Hohman, for Madama Butterfly. 🌸

This piece carries both cultural and personal history, and its presence adds depth to the visual world of the production.

We're continuously grateful for our community's support as we gear up for opening night!

May 15&16