The highly acclaimed production of the Met’s “Madama Butterfly” will be broadcast live in high definition to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

Written by Giacomo Puccini, the opera premiered in 1904 with such disastrous results that the opera was withdrawn from production. After rewriting the opera and restaging it three months later, Puccini found great success. It was eventually rewritten three more times, and the last version has become the standard opera to be presented.

Kristine Opolais will sing the title role.

The title character, known as Cio-Cio San to her friends, is a young Japanese geisha, who becomes the wife of a visiting American naval officer. Cio-Cio San believes this is a loving and permanent marriage; however, her role is one of the most tragic in contemporary opera.

The opera is sung in Italian and runs about three hours and 20 minutes.

Meet the Met opera talk will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the theater, with the opera to follow at 11:55 a.m.

Tickets are available at the box office prior to the opera. Adult tickets are $20, and student tickets are $12. There are free student tickets when a student ID is shown.

Kristine Opolais will sing the title role.

The following is a roundup of other events taking place this weekend:

 

Friday

Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre will present “Pinocchio” at 6:30 p.m. at Hawthorne Elementary School.

Billy McLaughlin will perform with special guest Jeff Arundel and The Hammsmen at 7:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Theatre and Event Center.

 

Saturday

Ruby’s Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon  at Albert Lea Assembly of God, 1540 S. Shore Drive.

“Madama Butterfly” will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera at 11:55 a.m. to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Contemporary Christian music artist Todd Agnew will perform at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove.

 

Sunday

The Walters volunteer fire department will host the Ultimate Firefighters Feast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walters Fire Hall. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children 8 and under. Menu includes made-to-order omelets, french toast, pancakes, toad in the hole, other eggs, sausage and beverage.

The Alden American Legion will host a breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. Menu includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. Cost is $5. Children under age 6 are free.