Lyric Soprano Yunah Lee is thrilling audiences in the U.S., Europe and Asia with her
“handsomely colored full lyric sound” (OPERA NEWS) and “picture perfect”
acting (BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS). Recent performances in the title role of
Madama Butterfly were hailed as “ a revelation… [her] voice unites the girlish
innocence and the wistful sensuality [of Cio Cio San]” (ONLINE MUSIK MAGAZIN).
“Thoroughly captivating... utterly convincing in mood
and presentation… a commanding and touching performance....” (DAS OPERNGLAS).
One of the opera's world's ultimate challenges is for a singer who has the vocal heft to surmount Puccini's music to make herself believable as a vulnerable teenager. Korean soprano Yunah Lee does. This Butterfly moves and sings as delicately as her natural-world namesake, especially when she's first bewitching the American sailor who has bought her as his wife. Yet anytime Puccini's music needs to surge, her voice easily takes wing over the swelling orchestra. Even then, its clear, vibrant tones keep the youthful aura alive.
That's only one sign of the strength behind Butterfly's apparent fragility. As it dawns on her that Pinkerton has abandoned her, Lee registers the impact as viscerally as a punch in the stomach.