Madam Butterfly – Puccini – Welsh National Opera – Milton Keynes Theatre

A wonderful reimagining of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly that will engage both traditionalists and the adventurous.

A 15 year old girl is fooled into a sham marriage to an older man, Pinkerton. The marriage is arranged by men ‘over a glass of whiskey’. The girl, Butterfly, is ostracised by her family and community then left by Pinkerton, the man she fell in love with and believed loved her.

Butterfly becomes a single mother who cannot accept that Pinkerton will not return to her, she refuses several offers of marriage from the rich Yamadori which would release her from her current dilemma (for how long isn’t clear).

Three years later, when Pinkerton learns Butterfly has given him a son, he returns with his new American wife.  Butterfly, (who is by then, remember, only 18) is talked into releasing her son to Pinkerton and his wife. Such is her misery and shame, like her father before her, she chooses to die with honour because she cannot live with honour.

A simple story of a young girl betrayed is told beautifully and powerfully by Welsh National Opera. Isabella Bywater’s set is striking, stark yet beautiful, the opening moment is the story as it emerges from its cocoon. The only room we see in the first act is the bedroom and the bed strewn with petals. The supposed purity of the first act diminishes as Butterfly’s life deteriorates, this is demonstrated brilliantly by the revelation of domestic reality in the kitchen and utility room. The lighting complements the set and helps tell the story subtly. The costumes work wonderfully, they enable the opera to be set in a ‘somewhere’ that isn’t anywhere but could be everywhere. Butterfly’s family and friends are in a blend of Jetson’s flavoured 60’s gear, mostly white but for a few colours which for me represented the many flowers in the garden that Butterfly and Suzuki pick when she thinks Pinkerton is coming back to her. Those who betray and control Butterfly are dressed in clothes that would not look out of place in any current, particularly Western, world.

The original Director, current Director, Designer, Lighting Designer, Movement Director, Head of Costume, Head of Wigs & Make-up are all women, it is good to see a largely female company behind the production, especially when telling a story of a girl so manipulated and betrayed by older men.

Unfortunately, due to illness, Alexia Voulgaridou was unable to play Butterfly last night, but Meeta Raval played the part seamlessly. The music and the voices in this production fill the theatre and the hearts of the audience, it is exquisite.

If you’ve seen Madam Butterfly before, even if you are a traditionalist, you will not be disappointed. If you’ve never seen Madam Butterfly or never been to an opera, then this would be a perfect introduction. Opera is for everyone!

Listening to opera on a recording is fine but hearing it live is something else and not to be missed. For those who fear they won’t understand there are subtle subtitles, but you don’t need them, the story is told so well by the company that you know what is going on without having to understand the language. A special mention for Kezia Bienek who plays Suzuki. She is on stage with Butterfly almost all the time but sings for a fraction of that. When she does sing it is stunning, but she is in the moment, every moment she is on stage. Suzuki carries Butterfly, tries to do the right thing for her, is frustrated by her and for me is the audience’s eyes on the suffering of this broken girl.  

As Lindy Hume states in the programme, ‘the cruel and systemic disempowerment and wreckage of a fragile 15 year-old girl by forces she cannot comprehend feels like watching a trapped animal’, Madam Butterfly was premiered in 1904, over 100 years later the themes are still happening across the globe.

 

Very highly recommended. Welsh National Opera are at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 26th March, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Janáček’s Jenůfa and Puccini’s Madam Butterfly including pre-performance talks. Book now. 

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/ 

Caz Tricks

23.3.22