London Coliseum
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Set in Japan, the story focuses on a young girl called Cio-Cio San (known as Madam Butterfly) who is married off in a paid-for arranged marriage to American naval Lieutenant FB Pinkerton. She is only 15 years old. The marriage is highly contested among Butterfly's family who quickly renounce her. This, however, does not phase her in the slightest - she is a young girl who is convinced that her husband loves her and that she loves him. The act closes as the couple are walking around the garden on a romantic, dreamy evening. At the beginning of next act, we learn that Pinkerton left Butterfly not long after their marriage, and consequently he has been away for 3 years despite his promise to Butterfly to return as soon as the robins first nested. Nevertheless, Butterfly remains loyal to her husband and she disregards everyone's advice to forget him and move on. The audience learn that Butterfly has had a son by Pinkerton. As the act draws to a close, Butterfly spots Pinkerton's ship arriving in the harbor and so stays up all night for him feeling sure of his return. However, in the next act we discover that Pinkerton has returned with a new wife and a plan to 'generously' adopt the baby. In a classic show of male 'self-absorption', Pinkerton decides that he is the victim of this situation - condemned to a life of remorse. In what seems to be his favourite move, he runs away again. Ultimately, Butterfly decides to meet Pinkerton to hand over their child, but before he arrives - in what is a tragic but sadly inevitable moment - she kills herself.
Each act gets progressively more intense, interesting and exciting. I have never felt such disgust towards any character as I have against Pinkerton, and I can safely say that the whole audience would agree with me there as he was met with resounding boos as he came on for his bow. The story itself was really good - perfectly on the line between dramatic and believable.
Each act gets progressively more intense, interesting and exciting. I have never felt such disgust towards any character as I have against Pinkerton, and I can safely say that the whole audience would agree with me there as he was met with resounding boos as he came on for his bow. The story itself was really good - perfectly on the line between dramatic and believable.
There were many fabulous aspects of this production, but the first mention should definitely go to Natalya Romaniw as Madam Butterfly whose voice was simply angelic even at the very top of her range. Her characterization of Butterfly was perfection - an innocent, naïve and yet headstrong and slightly mischievous teenage girl, willing to go against her whole family in order to marry a relatively unknown man - believing fully in his fabricated declarations of love.
The design of the production as a whole was breathtaking. The opera opened with a large screen lifting to reveal a stage drenched in bright red light and the silhouette of a woman holding a fan. Whilst simple, the staged continued to create an optical spectacle throughout the course of the show with its sliding panels and slightly reflective floor and ceiling. The costumes too were exquisite, filling the stage with colour.
Puccini's music in itself is of course another reason for the success of the opera. His music is elegant and emphatic, with some memorable melodies. I found that his writing for the chorus was particularly brilliant, with the opening wedding scene where Butterfly is surrounded by all her relatives being one of my favourites in the whole show.
I would recommend this opera to everyone. Although not always full of action, it is never boring - and with so many excellent elements what's not to like!
I would recommend this opera to everyone. Although not always full of action, it is never boring - and with so many excellent elements what's not to like!