BEYOND BUTTERFLY
A story of the opera world's reckoning with race is told through this intimate documentary short following Japanese American mezzo-soprano opera singer Nina Yoshida Nelsen.
Nelsen began to question her place in the rarified world of opera following the Atlanta spa shootings in 2021. She noticed how many colleagues and fans offered support in the wake of that anti-Asian violence. But she also realized her beloved profession had changes to make itself. Nelsen took stock of her own career and realized that over the course of more than a decade, she had performed in Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly more than 150 times, but had been cast in non-Asian roles just three times.
“Because they see me as Asian, I’m not even considered for these things. And it’s not just me, it’s Asians across the board in our industry.” In response, Nelsen co-founded the Asian Opera Alliance to call attention to the stereotyping and pigeonholing of Asian artists that frequently occurs in the industry.
“As a singer of color, an Asian American singer, there have not been tons of people who have come before me, but I can make sure there are a lot who come behind me. It’s my responsibility and privilege to be able to do that.”
Gracie Award (2023) - Original Programming Standalone Video
Directed, produced, and edited by Diane Tsai. See more at:
time.com/beyond-butterfly
