Even if opera isn’t your thing, I defy you not to be utterly enthralled with this production. The dramatic and heart breaking story of the naval officer Pinkerton who marries young Butterfly in Nagasaki and then leaves for America for three years before returning with his American wife to claim Butterfly’s son is well known and well-loved by many.
The Royal Albert Hall was once again transformed into a stunning Japanese water garden – a vast expanse of water sparkling above and around Zen-like rock and sand formations. And an elaborate walkway of paths reaches out to the delicate and flower-filled Japanese house suspended over that water. It felt as if I were back in Tokyo’s Happo-en Gardens where so many Japanese weddings take place.
Throughout the production silent vignettes of everyday life are gently performed – fishermen attending to their nets, religious folk saying their prayers and children playing – around the perimeter. Another feature is that at various points the characters flow gracefully from the auditorium doors and weave their way through the audience to the centre. It was a captivating sight and the parade of geisha-like, stunningly costumed women at the wedding drew tears of pleasure from more than a few with its sheer beauty.
The famous duet – at the end of Act One as Ciocio-san and Pinkerton embark on their first night together – where tea lights are set afloat on the water and the lanterns dotted around the house start to glow amidst a rising mist moved me to tears too.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays magnificently from the back – you can just about see the musicians in the reflected light of their soft music stand lamps. The allure of opera is in the emotion that washes over you from the music and singing and tonight it was a powerful magic that was woven. We were spellbound by both the sight and the sound.
There were too many excellent singers to list but the tiny young boy with a shock of blond curls who plays Butterfly’s three year old son must get a mention.
My companion tonight had never been to the opera, nor to the Royal Albert Hall. She was enchanted too and declared it one of the most memorable, captivating and elegant performances she had ever seen. A substantial part of the audience agreed with her and rose to a standing ovation at the end.
I admit that Madam Butterfly is my favourite opera. I’ve seen it in Italian (my preference) and English (as in this production) in many locations around the world. And this is the fourth time I have seen the Gubbay in-the-round version and tonight it retained my vote as one of the most creative productions.
There are only 20 performances of this production which ends on 15th March, so secure your tickets now. http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/madam-butterfly/default.aspx
