Today was meant to be the first day of rehearsals for our Melbourne season of Madama Butterfly. Hiromi Omura was due to bring her celebrated performance as Cio-Cio-San back to our shores, but the production has now sadly been cancelled. To help tide you over until we're able to return to the stage, here's Hiromi's performance of one of opera's most heart-wrenching arias, 'Un bel dì', recorded in 2013. | Opera Australia

On stage now through May 7, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly focuses on the heartbreaking devotion between mother and son. Anthony Minghella’s breathtaking production features a team of remarkable puppeteers tasked with bringing the title character’s child to life—take a look at their extraordinary artistry in this behind-the-scenes clip. Next on stage tomorrow, May 4: bit.ly/3gFq1CC | The Metropolitan Opera

Bringing a puppet to life takes a lot of practice! Come behind the scenes with puppeteers Kevin Augustine, Tom Lee, and Jonothon Lyons to learn what it takes to breathe life into the Bunraku-style puppet that acts as Cio-Cio-San’s child in Anthony Minghella’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Madama Butterfly returns to the stage this January. Book your tickets and explore the 2023–24 season: bit.ly/3JxySFm Videography by Pete Scalzitti / Met Opera #MetOpera #NewYorkCity #Puppetry #Behin