The World Transformed: Scenic Designs by Carey Wong - Madama Butterfly

Scenic design for Madama Butterfly. Music by Giacomo Puccini, libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa based on the short story by John Luther Long.

Puccini's popular opera Madama Butterfly has in recent years been charged with cultural appropriation and has raised questions about the practice of non-Asian singers appearing in yellowface to take on the roles of Japanese characters. The result is that opera companies wanting to present this work have been obliged to address these issues and make adjustments to their casting or production designs.

"At first glance, my scenic design appears to take a traditional approach to the opera by creating a picturesque environment for the opera's action. However, on closer view, something subversive is going on."

Madama Butterfly played at the Tacoma Opera in May 1999. It was conducted by Benton Hess and stage directed by David Bartholomew, with costumes by Lynn Bowers, and lighting by William Forrester.