Madame Butterfly

This past Friday, my mom and I went to the Cincinnati Opera’s production of Madame Butterfly (I tried to rope my younger brothers into coming, but they insisted it was “too sad”). We sat in super nice seats for only $10 apiece–yay for student rates.

Cons (I always think the bad should come first so it can be gotten over as soon as possible):

• The set was not so exciting (bland and reminiscent of last year’s Cosi Fan Tutte). 
• The costumes were not very pretty (in fact, some were just ugly). However, the costumes for Sharpless (sung by John Hancock) fitted him well and added to his dignified presence. Also, The Bonze’s wig was amazing. It stood out about 8 inches from the back of his head and went down to his knees. Like a sick variantion on a Barbie-doll-esque theme.
• Worst of all, B. F. Pinkerton (sung nicely by Frank Lopardo) had two major faux pas regarding his military uniform: while “outside,” he took off his hat and fanned himself, and, horror of horrors, unbuttoned the top few buttons of his jacket. This did not go over well with my military-minded mother.

 The last point is interesting. Was it simply a blunder on the part of the director? Or, was this outward disregard of military regulations an indication of his inner lack of ethics…and a foreshadowing of his future betrayal of Madame Butterfly’s trust?

 

Pros:

• Madame Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) was beautifully sang by Shu-Ying Li (here is an interview with her). What a wonderful performance–I would have liked to go back again just to hear (and see) her.
• Tyler Backer (the small boy who played Sorrow, Madame Butterfly’s son) is a cutie–and did well acting. I can’t imagine being so young (maybe 5 years old) and staying calm with such a large audience watching.
• While this is my first Madame Butterfly production to see, I’ve read that Madame Butterfly typically stabs herself before Pinkerton comes into the house. In this performance, she dies just as he opens the door and sees her. This kept my attention on high because I knew she was going to kill herself and yet she didn’t ’til much later than I expected.
• The orchestra (conducted by Edoardo Müller). Enough said.
• Good acting all around. No thoughts of “yeah, he sings well, but can’t act worth diddly.”
• The Bonze’s wig.

All in all, it was a fun evening and worth the drive. I’m excited about the Cincinnati Opera’s other productions this summer.