Madama Butterfly………just magnificent

An opera review by Victor Grynberg

Madama Butterfly is one of the most acclaimed operas of all time. One of 12 written by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), it is consistently acknowledged as one of four Puccini super hits.

Tosca, Turandot, and La Bohème are among the 10 operas performed most worldwide.

Its fantastic melodies require great singing, and last night, together with a packed audience at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, I could enjoy it so much.

Every melody is memorable, but none quite the mega hit of One ( Beautiful ) Fine Day – Un bel di vedremo.

Set in 1904, this is the story of an American naval lieutenant (Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton) on leave in the Japanese port city of Nagasaki, who rents a house there and hires a marriage broker (Goro) to find him a wife.  Goro finds a beautiful former geisha, Cio-Cio-San (nicknamed Madama Butterfly), to be his wife.  A great romance commences.

Reprising the role of Lt. Pinkerton is much-loved local tenor, the Mexican Diego Torre, a last-minute stand-in for American tenor Robert Watson, who is making his OA debut in this role.

Torre I have heard and enjoyed in more than 15 OA opera productions over the years. Certainly, he has never sounded better than last night, and of course, he had done this role for OA years ago, so he knew exactly what was required of him. Congratulations and many thanks, Diego.

Chinese soprano Guanqun Yu made her OA debut as Cio-Cio-San. No wonder she was selected for a role that is the dream of sopranos everywhere. With incredible volume and perfect notes, she captivated the audience with both her singing and acting, especially as tragedy unfolded at the end.

The role of Suzuki, the maid to Cio-Cio-San, was performed by the local mezzo-soprano Sian Sharp, who was comparable to the two leads. Another star performer.

Other major roles were also outstanding. Nathan Lay as the important American Consul Commissioner Sharpless,  Na Ra Lee as the registrar, David Parkin as Bonze, the uncle of Cio-Cio-San, Jane Ede the new American second wife of Pinkerton, and of course the whole chorus.

Unforgettable was the very young boy who played the role of Sorrow, the child of the Pinkerton and Butterfly from the start of the marriage. It wasn’t made clear on the program whether it was Angus Flint or Atticus Olds.

It is such an important part of the drama that you could feel the whole audience being captivated by the boy.

The superb music was performed wonderfully by the world-class Opera Australia orchestra under the enthusiastic conducting of Italian Andrea Battistoni, highly respected for many OA performances. The acoustics of the enlarged pit are much improved over the original.

Set and costume design for this production was by Russell Cohen and Peter England. Just perfection with fabulous use of mesmerising colour. Full marks to director Moffatt Oxenbould for an absolutely magnificent production of this classic favourite. Oxenbould always ensures that every OA opera he directs is of world-class standard and would be greatly admired, not just here, but also in New York, Paris, Rome, and London!

In a season extending into March, Madama Butterfly is strongly recommended for everyone, opera lovers and those new to opera.

Madama Butterfly

Joan Sutherland Theatre

Sydney Opera House

5 Stars