Puccini, who devoted himself to music aged five, wrote five versions of his classic tear-jerker, Madam Butterfly, which is now one of the most-performed operas around the world. Here we offer you five reasons to catch Welsh National Opera’s ‘piercingly emotional, modern-day interpretation’ this Season.
1Madam Butterfly is truly a classic – Puccini’s reputation as the writer of hits had already been solidified before the premiere of Madam Butterfly in 1904 with La bohème in 1896 and Tosca in 1900. With poignant, rich music and melodies evoking traditional Japanese folk songs, and even hints of Americana with fragments of The Star-Spangled Banner scattered throughout as part of Pinkerton’s theme music. Madam Butterfly was also the inspiration for the smash hit musical, Miss Saigon – two mirror-image tragic tales of deception and broken dreams.
2 Woven within Puccini’s glorious score are distinctive, spell-binding songs, each one guaranteed to hit hard. Highlights such as Butterfly and Pinkerton’s love duet in Act One, with each singing lyrics that define their different views of the marriage. Butterfly’s aria, Un bel dì, which is truly heart-breaking as the audience become increasingly aware of the true nature of the union, hearing her devotion and belief in Pinkerton’s return to the family home is classic tear-jerker territory. Along with Butterfly’s aria, The Humming Chorus is another highlight that you will have heard before, an atmospheric piece with no words but still packing an emotional punch. On hearing the news of Pinkerton’s return, Suzuki and Butterfly sing the flower gathering duet which provides one of the seemingly happiest moments in the opera… Although it is overshadowed by Suzuki’s realistic view of her friend’s situation and disenchantment with Pinkerton and the reasons behind his return.
3 This new production takes a fresh approach to the story. Director Lindy Hume and Designer Isabella Bywater explore the story from our 21st century perspective. The stylishly simplistic set involves a stark, white, revolving two-storey box representing the marital home that, effectively, imprisons all the action, and Butterfly herself. Against the dramatically coloured backgrounds, the straight-forward costumes are relatively timeless and not representative of any specific nationality, so as not to interfere with the universal nature of the story. All enabling the emotional impact of the music and the sorrowful tale to take centre stage.
4 The production has received fabulous feedback from audiences and critics alike, with both The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph and The Times giving it four stars. Audiences also took pen to paper, or at least fingers to keys, on social and via email: ‘I was so gripped, moved, entranced, uplifted and shattered, that I felt I had to write. What a fabulous Butterfly for our times. I am going to come again – several times, if I can.’
5 It’s your last chance! Lindy Hume’s production premiered as part of our return to the stage in Autumn 2021 and returned to the stage this Season, touring to more venues. The Spring dates are another chance to see this critically acclaimed portrayal of Butterfly’s heart-wrenching story of unrequited love.