Daniel’s Madame Butterfly Review

§ December 15th, 2008 § Filed under Puccini's Madama Butterfly

I was once asked, “What is there really to see in NYC?” A regular New Yorker would have simply brushed this question off, but since I wondered the same thing I was deeply struck by the word “really”. Was the tourist implying that there was nothing of real cultural weight to see? Regardless, I went on for a few weeks after this question pondering a possible answer and I was soon struck with complete helplessness for I saw nothing anymore that enticed me. Every different venue now began to seem as though it was missing key points and a general mood of cynicism overtook me. I was in this such state of mind when I came to see Madame Butterfly.
Historically Madame Butterfly is an opera uniting two arts, the traditional opera form and Broadway. It is an opera displaying colors and designs that are exotic, the music is of Italian sense but also with themes that are French, American and Japanese. The late Anthony Minghella’s production not only created a visual masterpiece but also a transition to a new form of Opera. A braid of so many different nuances knotted together to create a palate of such senses and colors that even the most depressed of us would find a glimmer of enjoyment. The lighting was superb and the props were extraordinary (a puppet for a boy, - genius). Every little trick was brought forth and created a delectable morsel for the ears and the eyes. Opera is not usually so concentrated on an objective of pleasure, it is either you like and understand opera or you’re a novice fake tourist trying to pretend you’re an intellectual.
Although there was a moment of sadness due to the fact of substitute singers; Maria Gavrilova (Cio Cio San) and Marcello Giordani (Gen. Pinkerton) performed at the top level and did not create a single bland moment. Such a situation only serves as comment to the Metropolitan Opera, it shows how deep and strong the company is.
Madame Butterfly is based on a play by David Balscone. It is an opera thought by many as a dedication to western domination of the east. An American general Pinkerton marries a Japanese Geisha Cio Cio San and he soon leaves back to America, only to abandon his young wife and newly born son. Cio Cio San then continues in normal opera manner to struggle with love and despair singing beautiful “a tre voce” arias. Maria Gavrilova enhanced the opera with her ability to span every note with direct attack and sustain each theme (even when humming!).
Each set was like a painting with music simple blocking only served more to accentuate the prowess of the singers and modern stage technology quieted set transitions and they no longer interfered with the more quiet orchestral solos, like those of the oboe in the 2nd act. Charming little ornaments such as purple “snow” and moon lamps enveloped our senses and gave a brilliant display of attention to detail.
One does not have to go to the Guggenheim, a fashion show, Carnegie hall, nor Central Park, for all these different aesthetic values were held close to the Opera’s production. Thus a display of color and sound alleviated my stupor and brightened my belief in the city’s cultural abilities and it will definitely do the same for anyone else!