The Center for the Performing Arts is bringing a classic touch of music to the University with a production of the New York City Opera Company's Madama Butterfly.

In an effort to bring in a mix of high-quality classical music, the Center for the Performing Arts created "Master Works," a series designed to let the community experience "high caliber" performances.

"The purpose of the series is to bring to our community and student population the best of classical music that is happening in the world today," said Ken Foster, the center's director.

As part of the series, the center will sponsor two performances of Puccini's Madama Butterfly at 8 p.m. today and and tomorrow in Eisenhower Auditorium. A 70-member ensemble will perform the love story of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly), a Japanese geisha girl who falls in love and marries American Navy Lt. Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton to the dismay of her family.

The series gives the community a chance to view something it normally would not, said Carolyn Rinaldi-Lieb, the center's publicity coordinator. Originally called the "Music Series," the programs began 20 years ago to coincide with the opening of Eisenhower Auditorium. The title changed during the 1989-1990 season.

"We called it 'Master Works' because we try to select artists in classical music who are masters," Foster said. "They are the finest you will find in the world today."

Laura Macy, assistant professor of music, said "Master Works" does a wonderful job of enlightening the community.

"I think a community needs music and the CPA, and the music department, is a major source of it," Macy said.

The center's performances usually sell out, but Foster said he still finds some hesitation by the community to eagerly embrace opera.

"There are a lot of misconceptions of opera," he said. "People think opera is some scratchy soprano or it's boring. It's actually very passionate, a very larger-than-life art form."

Although Madama Butterfly is performed in Italian, the audience should have no problem following the story -- supertitles will be shown on a screen above the stage.

"They make all the difference in the world," Foster said. "It gives you the essence of what's being said without a word-for-word translation."

A person's culture and exposure has a great deal of influence over individual tastes, Rinaldi-Lieb said.

"Whatever you feed a child, they will love, either instantly or learn to love," she said, adding that it is the same with opera. "I think Madama Butterfly is a good place to begin."

"Master Works" will also include a performances this semester by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and baritone Thomas Hampson.

Madama Butterfly tickets cost $23 to $29 for non-students and $19 to $25 for students. Because there are two performances the center will offer half-price student-rush tickets, which will go on sale a half hour before the show.