The opera “Madama Butterfly” will be presented by the D’Angelo Department of Music.

Written by Puccini, the beloved work “Madama Butterfly” is one of the world’s most performed operas.

It tells the story of a geisha, Butterfly, whose unrequited love for an American naval officer ends in tragedy.

In 1904, a U.S. Naval officer named Pinkerton rents a house in Japan for himself and his wife, Butterfly, a Japanese girl he is marrying for convenience.

Three years later, Butterfly is still waiting for Pinkerton to return, as he left shortly after their wedding. The American Consul, Sharpless, comes to the house with a letter that he has received from Pinkerton saying he is coming back to Japan. Butterfly then reveals she gave birth to Pinkerton’s son after he left.

Sharpless and Pinkerton arrive at the house, along with Pinkerton’s new American wife, Kate, who has agreed to raise the child.

Agreeing to give up her child, Butterfly says goodbye to her son and places a small American flag in his hands before going behind a screen and cutting her throat with her father’s hara-kiri knife.

The opera is popular, not only because of the beautiful music, but also because of its beautiful Japanese-inspired sets and exotic costumes.

The performance will take place in The Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 19, at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for students and seniors, $5 for children under the age of 12 and $5 for Mercyhurst students with their student ID.