However, the palate of Acts II and III were monotonously grey, reflecting the melancholic condition of Butterfly’s situation.Īt the podium, Maestro Conlon once again showcased his versatility as an artist, achieving an ardent verismic passion from the musicians. Act I began with what seemed to be another classical staging, with a Japanese wedding celebration vibrantly adorned with flowers and traditional Japanese aesthetics. What proved to be most exquisite about the production was the meticulous use of color used to convey the emotional intentions of the scene.
Blakeley’s adaptation, which debuted at Santa Fe Opera in 2010, is new to Los Angeles. Regardless of the problematic tones present in the plot, the production was wonderfully executed. Cio-Cio San waits earnestly for his return for three years, with her fervent love serving as her only optimism. Though she instantly falls in love with Pinkerton, he leaves shortly after their marriage with a promise to return. The story centers on Cio-Cio San (otherwise known as Butterfly), a young Japanese geisha who is married off to American lieutenant B.F. Given Butterfly’s esteem, one can almost guarantee astronomical ticket sales and a full house whenever it is performed - this is perhaps why Madama Butterfly is staged so frequently by major opera houses across the globe.ĭespite the opera’s commercial success, the plot itself is plagued with themes of misogyny, colonialism and racism. Initially panned by patrons at its 1904 premiere in Milan, the opera has grown into an audience favorite and remains widely popular. Madama Butterfly is one of the most performed operas in history.
Puerto-Rican soprano Ana María Martínez, fresh from the Metropolitan Opera’s own production of Butterfly, sang the titular character under the baton of Maestro James Conlon. Last staged in its 2012-13 season, Madama Butterfly returns to Los Angeles with English stage director Lee Blakely’s tasteful adaptation of the operatic staple. LA Opera presented Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly in the first of a six-performance run on March 12.
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