For many people, opera still feels like a closed world. Formal. Expensive. Intimidating. Something meant for insiders who already know the rules. But every once in a while, a production comes along that reminds us that opera is not meant to shut people out. It is meant to move people and draw them in.
The Metropolitan Opera’s current production of Madama Butterfly does exactly that.
If you have ever thought opera might be boring, confusing, or simply not for you, this is the moment to give it another look. And for Korean Americans in particular, this production offers something even more meaningful: the chance to see our own artists shine on one of the greatest stages in the world.
This season’s cast includes three remarkable Korean singers whose presence alone makes this production worth celebrating.
First is SeokJong Baek, who sings the lead role of Pinkerton, though only through the end of January! Originally trained as a baritone, Baek made the bold and risky decision during the pandemic to retrain his voice as a tenor, an incredibly difficult undertaking. Many singers would never attempt such a transformation mid-career. Baek did more than attempt it. He mastered it. Today, he is being recognized internationally as one of the finest dramatic tenors of his generation, praised for the power, richness and emotional depth of his voice. Watching him on the Met stage is an exquisite experience, and his story is one of courage, reinvention, and relentless dedication to craft. His performance in Madama Butterfly carries the weight of that journey, and you feel it in every phrase he sings.
Tenor SeokJong Baek plays Pinkerton in the 2026 Met Opera production of Madama Butterfly
Joining him is Hyona Kim, a mezzo-soprano in the role of Suzuki, Madama Butterfly’s trusted and beloved maid. Trained in both Korea and the United States, Kim has built a career that bridges cultures and styles. Her portrayal brings a rare blend of technical precision and heartfelt emotion. She reminds us that opera is all about telling the truth of a character’s emotions in a way that reaches straight into the audience.
Hyona Kim Suzuki Madama Butterfly
Completing the trio is Jeongcheol Cha, whose rich, grounded bass baritone is perfect for the role of Prince Yamadori. Cha’s career reflects the growing global reach of Korean classical musicians. His performances are marked by clarity, strength, and a deep respect for the tradition of opera, while still making every role feel immediate and alive.
Seeing these three artists together at the Met is powerful. It is a moment of pride. A reminder that Korean Americans belong not just in pop culture or film, but in every sphere of the arts, including those long viewed as distant or elite.
And then there is the production itself.
The Met’s staging of Madama Butterfly is visually stunning, rich with dramatic beauty and cinematic artistry. This production by Anthony Minghella (director/producer of The English Patient) feels like living works of art, pulling you into the world of turn-of-the-century Nagasaki from the first note. For anyone worried about the language barrier, every Italian line is translated into English right at your seat. You never feel lost. You never miss the meaning. You simply follow the story as it unfolds.
Subtitles on the back of every seat at the Metropolitan Opera
What surprises many first-time opera goers is how deeply moving it all becomes. Opera may seem intimidating from the outside, but once the music begins, and the subtitles are on, that fear quickly fades. Madama Butterfly tells a story that needs no explanation. Love, hope, regret, heartbreak. These emotions cross every cultural and linguistic boundary. You do not need to understand opera to understand longing. You do not need musical training to feel grief.
Many people worry it will be too long, too formal, too old-fashioned. But approaching opera with an open mind changes everything. Think of it not as something you need to decode, but something you get to experience. Opera is storytelling at its most passionate. Music, theater, and visual art come together in a way few other art forms can match. When you give it your attention, it gives you something rare in return: the chance to slow down and feel something deeply.
There is also something especially meaningful about supporting Korean artists on this stage. Every ticket sold, every seat filled, sends a message that our community shows up for excellence in all its forms. It tells young Korean American musicians that their dreams are valid, that their place in the arts is not limited by genre or tradition.
Tickets for Madama Butterfly are on sale now, and SeokJong Baek will only be performing this role through the end of January. Step outside the familiar and trade hesitation for curiosity. Go for the music. Go for the story. Go for the pride of seeing SeokJong Baek, Hyona Kim, and Jeongcheol Cha command one of the world’s most iconic stages. See you at the opera!
Madama Butterfly
Metropolitan Opera
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY
Cast
Cio-Cio San: Ailyn Pérez @ailynperezsoprano
Pinkerton: SeokJong Baek @seokjong.baek
Suzuki: Hyona Kim
Sharpless: Andrzej Filończyk @andrzej.filonczyk
Goro: Rodell Rosel @rorothetenor
January 2026 performances
- Friday, January 9, at 8:00 PM
- Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, January 17, at 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, January 21, at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, January 24, at 8:00 PM
March performances
- Tuesday, March 10, at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 11, at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14, at 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 PM
- Thursday, March 19, at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 21, at 8:00 PM
- Monday, March 23, at 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 27, at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, March 28, at 8:00 PM
Korean Friends of the Met Opera
If you are ready for more, consider joining me as a member of the Korean Friends of the Met Opera. This is a special opportunity created by So-Chung Shinn Lee, Chairman of the Patron Program at the Met Opera. It is meant to support more Korean artists while giving patrons access to experiencing opera like a true insider with special events and behind-the-scenes tours.
