Sometimes you go to the opera because of the cast, maybe you've seen it over and over and this time one of your favorites is in the cast, or someone that everyone is talking about and you've never had the good fortune to see, or maybe it's the production (I'm a sucker for Zeffirelli) or maybe it's a new opera and it is important to give new operas a chance, or maybe it is simply the joy and beauty of the music, no matter how many times you hear it.  Whatever brings you to the opera on any specific night is a personal choice. 

I chose to see both casts of Madama Butterfly at the New York City Opera because of one performer in each cast.  Neither are names everyone knows yet, but I must emphasize the word yet. Both are young, so they have plenty of time to grow their careers, and both are from our own wonderful city, New York, so hopefully we can have them often. 

In the first cast it was Jennifer Dawn Hines, a beautiful mezzo-soprano, who leans more toward contralto, with a voice as unique as her stunning appearance.   Tonight, in the second cast, it was Marc Heller.  Mr. Heller  has been performing in Germany for the last year and a half and he has returned a brilliant and seasoned performer.  Although you may not have heard of him yet, after seeing him in his NYCO debut as B.F. Pinkerton tonight I believe it won't be too long before everyone in the opera world knows his name.  We hear so much about the lack of tenors that it is very exciting when a new one appears on the scene and you have that 'ah-ha' moment in which you know, this is really a tenor, a tenor you can hear over the orchestra, a tenor who can hit those beautiful notes and hold them without screaming, a tenor with finesse. So when you make your opera plans, keep his name in mind, and if he is performing in your area, buy a ticket and give yourself a treat. 

Mr. Heller was not however the only talent in tonight's performance.  Soprano Jee Hyun Lim's Butterfly was as sweet and demur as Butterfly should be.  Although Lori Phillips, from the first cast is a strong soprano with a very pure tone, this particular role is a better fit for Miss Lim who seemed to have a better grasp of its subtleties.  Baritone Michael Corvino as Sharpless was an excellent fit in this role as was mezzo-soprano Kathryn Friest as Suzuki.