On the Wings of Elegance

“It would be a pity to tear those dainty wings or to play games with her faithful heart,” sung a justifiably concerned baritone in Italian to his nonchalant compatriot on the latter’s wedding day. At a vibrant household in Nagasaki, a massive feast took place. Two American sailors and their country’s Consulate seemed out-of-place at this joyous event of dancing sakura blossoms and effervescent dresses; tiny, elegant steps and deep, respectful bows; yet one of the aforementioned men was precisely for whom this celebration occurred.

United States Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton (Peter Furlong) was in the midst of his marriage to Cio-Cio-San (Kristin Sampson), a 15-year-old geisha highly revered for her beauty, elegant manner and gentle heart. She was also called Madama Butterfly.

Unfortunately, the gleeful groom did not heed the Consulate’s (Michael Corvino) advice; and in his careless ardor, crushed the fragile butterfly’s beautiful wings.

On April 16, Giacomo Puccini’s most popular opera, “Madama Butterfly,” reopened at New York City’s Dicapo Opera Theatre to a full house and a standing ovation, with crashing, unrestrained applause and gleeful shouts of “bravo.”

Directed by Michael Capasso, the production follows the Brescia version – a longer variant of the opera that had premiered in 1904. “Madama Butterfly” had since been shortened, with various scenes considerably abridged and the role of Mrs. Pinkerton nearly dismissed. This original, longer version, however, allows for a larger breadth of exploration of this particularly profound and beloved masterpiece.

The libretto follows that Pinkerton abandons his faithful wife by the beginning of the second of three acts, and re-marries in the United States, while she dutifully waits for his return.

Puccini’s score is undeniably ingenious, and more than deserving of its acclaimed resilience and universal awe. العاب كازينو As with any opera, however, the role of live performance is nearly – if not more – important than the written text.

The particular combination of these two aspects by those at the Dicapo Opera Theatre visibly left its patrons with nothing short of breathless awe.

The title role was impeccably executed by the magnanimously gifted Sampson, whose brilliant vocals were at times mighty as a raging torrent; and at others, soft and tender like the gentle Butterfly she played. لعبة بوكر حقيقية A soprano of high quality, she was more than deserving of her overwhelming applause.

Furlong was incredibly charismatic as the reckless Pinkerton, whose villainy was almost immediately revealed. And yet, in the hands of this talented tenor, his character gained sympathy. Possessive of powerful vocals, as well as considerable acting finesse, his character’s presence on stage was missed by the spectators nearly as much as by Butterfly.

Aside from its incredibly impressive performers, the entire evening was a spectacle of sheer beauty with meticulous attention to detail. لعب بوكر حقيقي A stunning set opened to a serene Japanese garden, which soon invited the splendor of a wedding scene echoing every color of spring. When night fell, the exotic, soothing haven welcomed an interlude of romantic mystery. As Furlong sung of Butterfly’s unrivaled beauty – of her flowing, raven locks against her white gown – it was almost enough to send the grandest skeptic into a romantic trance, as though he was precisely there – under the caress of a smiling moon, kissed by an evening of rapture.

This is precisely one of the reasons for which the performance was such a resounding success. We feel along with Butterfly – utter devotion to an undeserving man; her saccharine naïveté and finally, her heartbreak at the loss of all that she loved.

Sampson emitted such kindness as the tragic heroine that one could not help but feel emphatic sadness for her child (Isabelle Gendron) at the loss of such a pure soul for a mother.

In the end, amidst the gleeful shouts of praise and tempered crying, a gloriously executed score by the great Puccini remained; as Japanese screens closed, a sense of awe and catharsis soothed the soul.

Photo by Sarah Shatz.