From the very start, the music, conducted masterfully by Arthur Fagen, was captivating. Even when the action lagged, the music was able to bring rich depth to these scenes, languishing in emotion.
Andrea Luke, February 1, 2026, https://cvnc.org/why-we-still-love-opera-north-carolina-operas-gorgeous-madama-butterfly/
And, speaking of “something beautiful,” Francesca Zambello’s emotional direction and Arthur Fagen’s strong but never overpowering conducting bring out the best in both the story and the performers.
http://www.triangleartsreview.com/home/north-carolina-opera-presents-a-devastatingly-beautiful-madama-butterfly