The Vancouver Opera season comes to a close with a soaring production of Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at Queen Elizabeth Theatre until May 4.
Directed by Mo Zhou, Madama Butterfly tells the story of Cio-Cio-San – played in alternating performances by Yasko Sato and Karen Chia-ling Ho – a young Japanese woman who marries American naval officer – B.F. Pinkerton, Robert Watson, alternating with Adam Luther. Unbeknownst to Butterfly, Pinkerton only views the marriage as a convenience whilst stationed in Japan, which results in heartbreak and tragedy. Puccini’s lush and enduring work leads the audience through themes of love, hope and betrayal.
The first act of the opera highlights the romance and fantasy that Butterfly has developed about marrying and building a life of love with Pinkerton, whereas the second act finds her isolated and alone as a result of Pinkerton’s long-held plan to find a ‘real’ American wife. Where act one features the full company and Vancouver Opera chorus filling the theatre with lush performances reflecting Cio-Cio-San’s positive outlook, act two is the opposite. Left alone in their hilltop home with just her maid Suzuki (Nozomi Kato) and young son, Sorrow (Myles Hunter-Gibbs or Edward Gootman) Butterfly takes centre stage. With nearly the entire act focused on her, Karen Chai-ling Ho (in the performance reviewed) delivers with powerhouse vocals and delicate emotions of depression, stubborn hope, cautious optimism and despair. Delivering solid support to both Butterfly and Pinkteron, as the American Consul Sharpless, Brett Polegato offers a grounded, mature voice to their complicated tale.
As always with Vancouver Opera productions, the set by Designer Lloyd Evans stunningly packs an entire world into the Queen Elizabeth stage. A classical Japanese garden, home and even Sakura trees against a breaktaking view over looking Nagasaki. Costume Designer Ruoxuan Li’s beautiful costumes, bring the post-war era to life. Aided by Japanese Culture Consultant and Movement Coach Asuka Morinaga Derfler for accuracy the entire cast and sets feel rooted in authenticity, albiet from an opera in Italian.
Puccini packs much in the two acts of Madama Butterfly presenting a fast paced, emotion-packed tour de force that leaves nothing behind and the audience leaves completely fulfilled by the stellar performance.
Vancouver Opera’s Madama Butterfly has three more performances; Thursday May 1 at 7:30pm, Saturday May 3 at 7:30pm and Sunday May 4 at 2pm at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street. Visit vancouveropera.ca for details and tickets.