Heather Walker is a professional horn player and a core member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra. Join them this April & May for performances of the beloved opera “Madama Butterfly”
MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Composer – Giacomo Puccini Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa Premiered 1904 in Milan DATES April 26 – May 4, 2025
VENUE Queen Elizabeth Theatre Vancouver, BC
RUNNING TIME Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, including one intermission.
Stunning visuals, transcendent melodies, and a timeless tale of love and loss make Madama a must-see season finale. Puccini’s sublime masterpiece closes out our celebratory 2024–2025 season in grand style, with five performances conducted by VO’s Music Director, Maestro Jacques Lacombe.
This extended run boasts a double cast bursting with world-class talents, including Tokyo-born soprano Yasko Sato. Praised for her “disarming, honest, refined and authentic” approach, she makes her VO/Canadian debut as Cio-Cio-San, having previously explored the role’s complexities in performances throughout Italy, the US, Belgium, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, and Japan.
The story of Pinkerton, an American Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, who marries a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. For him, it’s a marriage of convenience, a touristic fantasy abroad before he finds himself a “real” (American) bride. For Cio-Cio-San, it begins her story of tragically unrequited love.
One of the greatest works in operatic history, Puccini’s poignant, deeply emotional music steers Madama Butterfly through love, heartbreak, hope, and tragedy.
When not performing music professionally, Heather Walker teaches the Alexander Technique, and amazing tool for changing our habits of movement and thought to become more efficient, natural, and full of ease and poise. It can help with all sorts of postural re-training, repetitive strain injuries, tension, pain, and balance issues. Please contact Heather for more information.