PORTLAND, Maine – In conjunction with PORTopera’s summer mainstage production of “Madama Butterfly” an exhibit illustrating historic connections between Maine and Japan opened free of charge to the public on July 11 in the Rotunda at City Hall.

The exhibit then moves Monday, July 23, to the Merrill Auditorium lobby for PORTopera’s performance of “Madama Butterfly.” The exhibit will remain free and open to the public through Monday, July 3o.

The exhibit is in two parts, featuring a depiction of the connections between Maine and Japan, sponsored by PORTopera, National Endowment for the Arts and Opera Volunteers International, and a special photographic display of images of Meiji-era Japan, on loan from the Consulate General of Japan in Boston.

The exhibit provides a closer look into “Madama Butterfly’s” context within the Old Japan-New Japan transition.

“Madama Butterfly” is scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, and Friday, July 27, at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium. For information, visit www.portopera.org.