See beloved 'Madame Butterfly' broadcast live at Douglass Theatre by the Metropolitan Opera

An operatic jewel of great beauty and power is coming to the Douglass Theatre on Saturday. You may occasionally hear that another opera is better-loved, but such heresy exists simply because the soul-searing quality of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" for some is simply too much to bear.

Tragedy is the stock in trade of a large portion of opera, but the depth of heartbreak in Puccini's love story is so affecting that even the term "ineffable" is not adequate to the task.

It is no secret that members of the U.S. military have been known to consort with women from the countries they visit, and it is no secret that these relationships often have not ended well.

The story of Madame Butterfly and her relationship with a westerner is set in Japan in 1904, and is said to be based on an earlier short story that gave rise to a one-act play seen by Puccini in 1890.

In the heart-rending tale, a dashing officer in the U.S. Navy by the name of Pinkerton (played by Roberto Alagna in the Metropolitan Opera's current production) rents a house in Nagasaki in which he plans to cohabit with the 15-year-old Japanese girl who will soon be his wife. The girl's name is Ciocio-san (Butterfly), and she is so enraptured to be marrying an American officer that she has already converted to Christianity, a move that will alienate her family.

Shortly after the relationship is consummated, Pinkerton, who does not regard the union with any seriousness, is off on his adventures, knowing he will soon enjoy a "real" American wife. The emotions of Butterfly (played by Kristine Opolais) are on an entirely different level. She is certain that Pinkerton will come back to her. Oh, the power of the human heart!

The opera is sung in Italian, and several of the arias are powerful indeed. Wendy Brannen is scheduled to illuminate these at the Opera Chat preceding the screening at the Douglass Theatre.

"Madame Butterfly"

When: 12:55 p.m. April 2

Where: Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and the Galleria Mall Stadium Cinemas 15, 2980 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins

Cost: $24 adults, $20 seniors and students

Information: www.metopera.org/hdlive

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 5:14 PM with the headline "See beloved 'Madame Butterfly' broadcast live at Douglass Theatre by the Metropolitan Opera ."