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You might want to bring a pair of sunglasses to this one. The Metropolitan Opera’s version of Giacomo Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” was definitely an experience to remember.
The two leads, Patricia Racette and Roberto Aronica seemed to have been ill for the performance, so my perception of Anthony Minghella’s true production was slightly hindered. Though I must admit that that their replacements, Maria Gavrilova and Marcello Giordani definitely delivered a spectacular show.
Gavrilova, though not the perfect match to my perception of Cio-Cio-San, did exceptionally well in carrying her voice throughout the Metropolitan Opera, and probably even into the street outside; its safe to say that her voice had an extreme impact on her part, as well as the audience, and it was definitely something to remember.
I must say that the use of puppets in this piece was genius, and in some points even beautiful. The coordination and professionalism exhibited by the puppeteers astounded even me, even though I wasn’t exactly up close to the actors. I must admit that I was a bit put off by the puppet of Cio-Cio-San’s son. I felt that an actual child actor would have contributed to the piece better than the puppet did.
The most memorable part of the show was indefinitely its finale. Cio-Cio-San definitely gave the phrase “lady in red” a new meaning. I must say that the lighting effects and the portrayal of Cio-Cio-San’s death were simply magnificent. I’ll admit that the lighting became a bit overwhelming, but I feel that it was a beautiful way of staging her death. I also rather enjoyed Pinkerton’s reaction to Cio-Cio-San’s death. He didn’t exactly run to her to express any pain or anguish. My perception of the ending of the piece correlated with the actual opera’s portrayal perfectly.
-Varun Sahadevan
“Welcome to ‘Merican house, mos’ welcome to ‘Merican girl! (Pointing to herself. They both bow)….You sleepin’ good? How are that honorable ancestors – are they well?
I chose this line because I believe this gives way to Madame Butterfly’s personality and gives birth to her character. She was a Japanese geisha that fell in love with an American soldier. After he left, she kept the notion of being an American(ized) woman. She introduces her self to an American consul as Mrs. Lt. B. F. Pikkerton, instead of Cho-Cho-San. This line honestly enhances the whole opera for me.
I strongly dislilked the character of Pinkerton. Even though Cio-Cio San is a Geisha and is not the most innocent person, she still had feelings. Pinkerton disregarded her emotions and used her for his own benefits. He completely abandoned her after marrying her and he even had her convert to Christianity. Her parents disowned her and she was left with nothing but a fatherless child. Cio-Cio San may have been a little naive in her thinking but in her defense she really could not have known his true intentions. Pinkerton was a horrible man for doing what he did to her. Especially when he came back he completly ignored her. I think he was repsonsible for Cio-Cio San’s suicide more than anyone else.
The line i chose to write about was: “Me? Well, I thing that day Lef-ten-ant B.F. Pik-ker-ton is jus’ a god! Gold button — lace on his unicorn. At firs’, I frightend — he hol’ my hans’ so close–like–and kizz. Japanese girl no lig’ kizz; but when Lef-ten-ant B.F. Pik-ker-ton kizz me, I like ver’ much…”
I find it interesting how even though Madame Butterfly confessed that it was abnormal in Japanese culture for women to enjoy kisses, she still enjoyed it when Leiutenant Pinkerton kissed her. She was willing to go against her culture and everything she believed in for Pinkerton, yet Pinkerton really didn’t have the same feelings for Madame Butterfly. I also find it sad that even though Madame Butterfly gave up so much for Pinkerton, it was all in vain, because she died a truly sad and lonely death, having the love of her live enjoy the company of another woman.
It is interesting to know that the two names for the baby are “Trouble” and “Joy.” While love can be an emotion that brings absolute joy to a person, it can also bring trouble and despair to another. Cho-Cho-San happens to be one of the unfortunate souls that love brings sorrow to. She exclaims that “[loave don’t forget some thin’s or wha’s use of loave? Loave’s go to remember … some thin’s!” Her love, Lieutenant Pikerton, however, does not want to remember her. It was only during the two weeks after he sailed that he was “dotty in love with her.” He felt joy for only those two weeks, but he moved on because he no longer loved her. Sadly, Cho-Cho-San did not give herself the chance to feel love again and died with trouble in her heart.
Carissa Dech
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