Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre to perform ‘Madama Butterfly’

March 6, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

“Butterfly” Dr. Maria Briggs, and "Pinkerton" Jonathan Yarrington

The Fresno State Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre will present Puccini’s famous opera with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, March 8, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Fresno State Concert Hall. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for faculty and seniors and $5 for students.

Q&A with Dr. Maria Briggs on her role as ‘Madama Butterfly’

March 6, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Every two years, music faculty at Fresno State take on the endeavor of producing a full-scale opera in the Fresno State Concert Hall. During the planning meetings, the faculty decided they would likely hire someone to play the role of Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly). That’s when assistant professor of voice Dr. Maria Briggs stepped in and offered to take on the challenge.

Q&A with guest tenor Jonathan Yarrington on ‘Madama Butterfly’ at Fresno State

March 4, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Filling the lead roles for an opera can be tricky. The person in question must have not only a strong voice and acting ability but the capacity to memorize nearly two-and-a-half hours of music which is performed entirely in Italian.

As I begin my transition to the Office of the Provost, I think deeply about the value of our College and our disciplines.

We are the proud heirs to an academic and artistic tradition that prides itself on promoting core values that reflect our vast potential: Maturity and flexibility of mind, dynamic exploration of our human relationships, and the creation of meaningful insight into a historical period. Within this tradition, communication is at the heart of all of our disciplines. We are masters of communication in artistic and literary ways -from video, dance, painting, and music, to speeches, essays, books, and poetry.