Tag Archives: Anne Namba

Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Puccini’s iconic opera Madam Butterfly

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT) undertakes a series of Life Changing Journeys, the 2014-15 Opera Season, with the Italian Composer Giacomo Puccini’s famous classic, Madam Butterfly.

Originally created for the Savonlinna Opera Festival in Finland (Madam Butterfly 2009 & 2014), this production was the product of a Hawaiian collective, including HOT Artistic Director, Henry Akina (Stage Director), Fashion Designer Anne Namba (Costume Designer), and Dean Shibuya (Set Designer). The three revisit their work in a homecoming of sorts as Madam Butterfly comes to life in Hawaii, with Maestro Ivan Törzs taking the podium as Conductor.

Known for beautiful melodies including the aria “Un bel di” (“One fine day”), this opera is set in Nagasaki, Japan, where an American naval officer named Pinkerton is set to marry a young woman named Cio-Cio-San (“Butterfly” in Japanese). While Cio-Cio-San is truly in love, Pinkerton views the marriage as a simple convenience. Butterfly has become so infatuated with Pinkerton that she renounces her Buddhist beliefs and converts to Christianity. Hearing this, Butterfly’s uncle shows up at their wedding and curses her. Not long after, Pinkerton leaves Japan, promising to return to Butterfly soon, all the while knowing that he doesn’t feel the same about her as she does him.

For three years, Madam Butterfly waits for Pinkerton. When he finally does return, Pinkerton is accompanied by his new American wife and it is revealed that Cio-Cio-San has given birth to a son. How will she react to the news that the love of her life has taken another wife?

Highly acclaimed Soprano Lina Tetriani makes her HOT debut as Cio-Cio San with Tenor Eric Margiore, last seen in HOT’s La Traviata (2011), starring as Pinkerton. Joining them are Metropolitan Opera regulars Mezzo-Soprano Ning Liang as Suzuki and Baritone Daniel Sutin as Sharpless. Bass-Baritone Jamie Offenbach returns to Hawaii to perform as the Bonze. Offenbach, who starred in the title role of HOT’s modern take of The Mikado this past June, is a native of Hawaii and former resident of Oahu.

Madam Butterfly will be performed at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on October 10, 12, & 14, 2014.

Tickets to Madam Butterfly and Season Subscriptions can be purchased by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858, online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or via www.TicketMaster.com.

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For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Jason M.A. Walter | 808-596-7372 ext. 211 | j_walter@hawaiiopera.org

An Experience for the Entire Family

HOT’s exciting new production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved musical comedy, The Mikado, is right around the corner! Will Nanki-Poo find Love or face the wrath of the Mikado? Find out for yourself this June!

This new production is the vision of HOT’s own Henry Akina, who will be making his return as Stage Director here in Honolulu for the first time since 2012! With Anne Namba on the Artistic Team designing costumes in the fashion of Harajuku girls, Anime characters, Yakuza, and Japanese business people, this will be a Mikado unlike any before!

To buy tickets, visit www.HawaiiOpera.org. Or, if you’re interested in taking part in the very special HOT Family Day promotion, call the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858 for more details! Family day festivities begin at 12:00pm on June 21, with a matinee performance to follow at 2:00pm!

See you at The Mikado!

HOT presents a modern take of the family friendly The Mikado

Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), closes the 2013-2014 HOT Opera Season this June with a modern take on the operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado. Performed in English, this family friendly classic takes the audience through a series of hilarious events, as Nanki-Poo, the son of The Mikado, tries to escape an arranged marriage and finds new love along the way.

Although set in Japan, this enchanting work brings together worlds in only the way the opera can, as the story makes fun of English society and mores of the time. Directed by HOT Artistic Director, Henry Akina, with Costumes designed by local Fashion Designer Anne Namba, the Artistic Team is presenting a modern take on the tale with characters dressed in the style of Harajuku Girls, Yakuza, and Anime characters. Conductor Tim Shaindlin returns to Hawaii to lead the orchestra.

Bass-Baritone Jamie Offenbach, a native of Honolulu, leads a phenomenal cast and stars as in the title role. Offenbach has enjoyed a stellar career and has performed at venues around the world including his appearance in Florentine’s Opera’s production of Elmer Gantry, which earned two Grammy Awards in 2012.

Tenor Joshua Kohl portrays Nanki-Poo, a role he performed with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and was described as having “an excellent lyric tenor voice” by The KC Independent. Baritone Curt Olds, who The Rochester Times describes as “born to interpret Gilbert’s witty libretto” plays The Lord High Executioner, Koko. The object of both Nanki-Poo and Koko’s affection is Yum-Yum, who will be performed by rising star, Soprano Sarah Asmar (Yum-Yum).

Metropolitan Opera star Mezzo-Soprano Victoria Livengood (Katisha), University of Hawaii Professor Bass-Baritone John Mount (Pooh-Bah), and Baritone Leon Williams (Pish-Tush) round out the Soloists.

The Mikado will be performed over two weekends at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall from June 13-15 & 20-22. HOT will also bring opera back to the island of Maui for the first time in seven years with a performance of The Mikado at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theatre on Maui on June 18.

For all Oahu performances, tickets can be purchased by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858, online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or via www.TicketMaster.com.

Tickets to the performance on Maui can be purchased by contacting the Maui Arts & Cultural Center at (808) 242-7469 or online at www.MauiArts.org.

Kicking Off the Opera Season in Style – Anne Namba Fashion Show

Hawaii Opera Theatre would like to welcome you to a very special event! Join us as we jump-start the Opera Season with this annual event on September 29, 2013, hosted at the Halekulani Ballroom, from 11a – 2p.

Renowned local designer Anne Namba will present a fashion show with a collection for men and women inspired by the 2013-2014 Opera Season and Opera Ball, accessorized by Anna Meng.

After the show, be the first to preview HOT’s production of Puccini’s Turandot, directed by Karen Tiller, and conducted by Christopher Larkin. This preview features stars Jay Hunter Morris (Calaf), Janai Brugger (Liu), and Kelly Markagraf (Ping), John McVeigh (Pang, and Joseph Frank (Pong)!

To RSVP call Tracy Jefferson at 596-7372 ext. 200, or email t_jefferson@hawaiiopera.org.