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.

Dear Friends,

What an extraordinary spring this has been! Fresno is always so lovely this time of year, with the roses waking up from their winter slumber, azaleas blooming profusely, and annuals carefully planted to dress up even the most modest front yard. Metamorphosis is the very essence of springtime, and it has been remarkable to see how quickly Fresno State transformed its entire education into virtual offerings the week that spring arrived. Faculty, staff, and students have worked incredibly hard to learn new technological skills and to adapt curricular and administrative work to the virtual realm. What used to be assigned, invoiced, taught, turned in, graded, or signed all flows electronically now. More…