Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House. A more special event could not exist nor be more appropriate for my mother's birthday present. Opera Australia, celebrating 50 musical years opener was Puccini's Madama Butterfly.
"The most deeply-felt and imaginative opera I have conceived"- Giacomo Puccini
The premiere Italian performance was 17th February 1904 at La Scala (which I've been too and goose bumped appear all over when I reminisce of the gold trimmings and the lush red velvet seats) The performance was regarded as a "fiasco"and Puccini withdrew his great opera... A revised version was presented at the Teatro Grande in Brescia on 28th May 1904, with a cast essentially the same as at La Scala except for the Polish soprano Salomea Kruszeniski as Cio-Cio-San. This time it was a stupendous success: seven pieces had to be encored and Puccini was called ten times in front of the curtain."Puccini's dramatic tale of East meets West is set in the mysterious world of the Japanese geisha, a world of red silk and rituals, imbued with fragile beauty. Cio-Cio San is only fifteen when Pinkerton, a visiting American diplomat, acquires her as a bride. Their love burns brightly for a while and the delicate butterfly is caught in the flame. Within a year, Pinkerton is gone, and his promises to return hold little value. But Madama Butterfly knows in her heart that one fine day he will return."
The set and the costumes had a significant WOW factor. However I was disappointed, a stronger cast would have complementarity this masterpiece better.
"She seduced with her simple charm"
Every time I've listened to Cio-Cio Sans "un bel di vedremo" I've had tears streaming down may face, last night my eyes were slightly watery and I was left expecting more...
"I must pursue her even though I damage her wings."
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