Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly made a much-anticipated visit to New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion last night.
Senbla presented us with Madama Butterfly by Puccini, with the Orchestra of the Ukranian National Opera and the Orchestra of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Muldova, directed and produced by Ellen Kent.
The production is split into two acts, the first telling the story of Cio-Cio San (Alyona Kistenyova), a beautiful 15 year old former Geisha known as Butterfly, who has been introduced through the formal matchmaker, Goro (Ruslan Pacatovici) to B F Pinkerton (a Lieutenant in the USA Navy) played by Georgio Maladze. We hear of her happiness, true love and affection for Pinkerton and swept up in the moment he pays Goro to arrange a marriage to Butterfly, but on his part he sees this as a temporary arrangement and despite a warning of potentially tragic consequences, before long, departs for the USA and Butterfly appears to be forgotten.
Although a simple set, the lighting and house on the hill set in Nagasaki is very effective and a small water feature trickles throughout in the Japanese garden. The costumes are particularly stunning, particularly the kimonos worn during the wedding ceremony and the make-up is very authentic. Mention must be made of the youngsters appearing in the opera and their professionalism, despite their young age in this fairly sophisticated production.
In the longer second act, we see Butterfly waiting for Pinkerton to return for three years, cut off from her family, religion and culture as a result of marrying an American. And she is now a mother. When he finally returns, she is overjoyed – but he brings with him his new wife – a fiancée who was waiting for him in America. When he hears about his son, he offers to take the boy off her hands and raise him in the USA with his new wife!
Kistenyova as Butterfly demonstrates the right balance of youthful innocence, naivety and hot headedness. Her voice is delicate, yet strong and crystal clear. Her maid Suzuki’s (Myroslava Shvakh-Pekar) beautiful and rich-toned vocals complement Butterfly’s as she tries to provide support and comfort. Their duets were particularly powerful and a highlight of the opera.
Other members of the cast support the trio magnificently, the orchestra did not overwhelm the singing and the sound was excellent. Goro provides comedic relief and the audience is provided by helpful surtitles above the stage.
There is plenty of emotion and excellent acting which highlights the desperation of Butterfly’s predicament and the sadness she experiences as a result of Pinkerton’s betrayal which leads her to her distraught demise, which to be honest seems over and done with very quickly. In the final scenes, she holds her small son for the last time, before she is expected to hand him across to Pinkerton and his new wife. We then see through the paper walls of the house, the shadow of Butterfly taking her own life.
I enjoyed this production although it did not convey as much emotion that I have experienced in other performances. However, the Floral Pavilion does lend itself very well to this type of show. As mentioned, the acoustics were excellent, you are close enough to the stage not to miss anything, even at the back of the theatre, and I look forward to forthcoming opera productions.
Overall, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly was a stimulating and highly enjoyable show at Floral Pavilion.
Overall Rating: 8/10 – Very Good
