Kansas Concert Opera presents "Madama Butterfly" by G. Puccini April 17, 2009

Performed in the Lawrence Arts Center in downtown Lawrence, KS, Kansas Concert Opera presents Puccini's heartrending tale of romance between U.S. naval officer Lieutenant Pinkerton and the beautiful Butterfly. Performed in it’s original Italian with English surtitles, this popular opera will be sung by one of the finest casts ever put together in Kansas. Our leads include Ben Gulley (http://www.myspace.com/tenorbengulley) as Lieutentant Pinkerton. A truly wonderful dramatic tenor, he won the 2009 district and regional Metropolitan Opera competition this January. Mr. Gulley, at the age of 24, will be a Young Artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City this fall. Dale Morehouse, Sharpless, has sung over 80 operas around the world and is the Voice Chair of the Conservatory Vocal Department at UMKC. The voice teacher of Ben Gulley, they will be singing together for the first time in a major production. Andrea Garritano, Butterfly, who is returning to KCO after a riveting performance in the lead role of Tosca last season, is known throughout the country as a leading interpreter of Puccini opera. Accompanied by Natalia Rivera and sung with full chorus, this April's performance guarantees to be the highlight of Eastern Kansas’ concert season.

Official Website: http://www.kansasconcertopera.com