Madama Butterfly
On Sunday evening I went to watch Madama Butterfly at Llandudno’s Venue Cymru, presented by Ellen Kent Productions. This has been the third opera I’ve seen so far and it was certainly as unique and individual as the others.
In brief the story is a tale of a wealthy American sailor, Pinkerton, who marries a beautiful girl, Butterfly, when visiting Nagasaki. From the beginning it is clear he is not really serious about her and soon leaves for America promising to return to her. Butterfly waits for 3 years faithfully, turning down offers of marriage from wealthy men, but still she hears nothing. It is revealed that Butterfly gave birth to a child shortly after Pinkerton’s departure. Eventually Pinkerton returns, but he has remarried an American lady and brought her with him, and they intend to take the child away to America. Butterfly is rightfully distraught and ends her own life with a knife in a dramatic scene.
Like many operas it is a sad story, this one being about a particularly untrustworthy and scandalous man and the sadness and pain he inflicts on a selfless and trusting Butterfly. However, in contrast to the tragic nature of the story, the set and costumes were wonderfully colourful and detailed. I was also very impressed by the lighting effects, as the scenes changed between day to night.
I am getting to like opera more and more now that I am acquainted with it’s many quirks. I cannot confess to being a connoisseur just yet, but I can appreciate what it means to me - the blend of music, singing, acting and visual effects, and the feeling it distills within.
