PRESS RELEASE:

LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER presents "New York City Opera: Madama Butterfly," a telecast of the Puccini opera broadcast live from the New York State Theater on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m., on KUED-Channel 7. Among the most beloved operas of our time, Madama Butterfly premiered at the turn of the last century, yet its tragic tale of a disastrous clash of cultures resonates with audiences today. New York City Opera's intimate production, directed by Mark Lamos, stars James Valenti as the dashing B.F. Pinkerton and Shu-Ying Li as his ill-fated lover, Cio-Cio-San. New York City Opera music director George Manahan will conduct.

Since its founding in 1943, New York City Opera has been recognized as one of America's preeminent cultural institutions, celebrated for its adventurous programming and innovative, risk-taking production style. The company's wide-ranging repertory spans five centuries of music and includes 29 world premieres and 61 American and/or New York premieres. The company is a leading showcase for young artists, having helped launch the careers of more than 3,000 singers, including José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Renée Fleming and Beverly Sills.

In 1983, the company made operatic history when it became the first American opera company to use supertitles in its productions, an innovation that has revolutionized the way opera is produced and appreciated in this country.