Sugar Creek Opera Celebrates 10 Years!
For Its 10th Anniversary Season, Sugar Creek Opera Has Much to Celebrate

National Recognition
Sugar Creek has grown from a small, local festival into a nationally-known opera organization with a commitment to presenting famous works, from The Barber of Seville to La Bohème, performed by international talent. A member of Opera America, Sugar Creek is one of only four companies in the United States led by a woman.

Growing Apprentice Artist Program
The Danis Wilson Apprentice Artist Program has expanded each year, increasing both the number of participants and its offerings for talented, degreed artists who are beginning their professional careers. 2011 showed a 52% increase in applications over 2010!

Expanding Cultural Reach
Since its beginning, Sugar Creek's operas and events have served more than 11,000 people in rural Illinois! For its 10th Season, the Festival will expand its events to highlight the entire county of Iroquois.

The Return of Helen Todd
In honor of Sugar Creek's 10th Anniversary Season, General Director, Helen Todd, will return to the stage to sing her first role in the Festival since 2009. Audiences will get the chance to see Helen as one of opera/s most famous and tragic roles, Butterfly, in Puccini's Madame Butterfly.

Sugar Creek Opera Celebrates 10 Years!

Sugar Creek Symphony & Song is a summer opera and arts festival held the first full weekend of August each year in Watseka, Illinois. We bring the arts out of the city and into the country for a delightful summer festival in the heart of the Midwest.

Plan to attend the 2012 festival, August 3-5!

Madame Butterfly
By Giacomo Puccini
A love story of soaring beauty and devastating heartbreak
Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage

Set in the 19th century, an American sailor named Pinkerton arrives in Japan and meets a young Japanese woman he calls Butterfly. She falls in love, but he considers their romance temporary, and asks for her hand even though he has no intention of bringing her back to the States. Even though it means turning her back on her family and her faith, Butterfly marries Pinkerton, who soon leaves her behind. She waits patiently for three years to be reunited with Pinkerton, and to introduce him to their son. When he does return to Japan, Pinkerton brings his new American wife, Kate. Butterfly is heartbroken to learn he does not love her, but has come to take her son back to the United States, leaving her completely alone. The role of Butterfly will be played by Watseka's own, Helen Todd, who is returning to the Sugar Creek stage for the first time since 2009!

The greedy relatives of the wealthy Buoso Donati (BOO-soh) gather at his deathbed to mourn his passing, and to investigate the details of his will. Young Rinuccio (Rih-NEW-chee-oh) makes his Aunt Zita (ZEE- tah) promise to let him marry his beloved Lauretta if there is enough money. She agrees, but the will reveals the inheritance has been left to a monastery. In desperation, Rinuccio's family turns to Lauretta?s father, the shrewd, self-made man, Johnny Skeekee. At the urging of Lauretta (who sways him with the popular aria, "O mio babbino caro"), Skeekee agrees to help and, with the aid of Rinuccio's family, sets a risky plan in motion. Impersonating the dead man, he sends for the notary, and creates a new will. But Skeekee's role play includes an unexpected twist that will leave everyone reeling!

Other Past Seasons:
Il barbiere di Siviglia (2010)
Le nozze di Figaro (2010)
La traviata (2007) (cast)
Mozart and Verdi Concerts (2006) (cast)
La Cenerentola (2005) (cast)
Roméo et Juliette (2004) (cast | pics)
La bohème (2003) (cast)