Apart from the gorgeous set designs, like a floating world of Ukiyoe painting meet modern chic. Worth mentioning is the singing of Cio cio is really top class, solid and not pushed, which unfortunately which many succumbed to. I haven't heard such fine singing (in fact the whole cast) for a long time, well done Israel!
So how is it exactly that they justify Cio-Cio-San floating up the hill, in a boat, and then is being asked by Pinkerton if the climb was tiring for her? The whole point is she walks up with her family and friends, singing "ancora un passo or via..." (one more step and then..), with her friends telling her she's lagging behind. This has been a long journey on foot for Cio-Cio-San, yet energized by her hopeful heart. ((((Sigh)))) Creativity is one thing. Going AWOL from the text is a whole other matter altogether. Once again, let's have a little more faith in Puccini, Illica, and Giacosa worked so hard to create for us. It feels like the director wanted to highlight the dysfunction and brutality of the situation, almost telling the audience how to feel well ahead of time, instead of letting things unfold on their own. It is a sad scenario from the start, we know, but I think what makes it so gut-wrenching in Act 3 is that this phenomenal music-and her personality-carries us in such a way that we actually elect to suspend logic for another two acts and believe right along with Butterfly that all will be well in the end-and then it isn't. We mourn with and for her-and then we come right back and submit to the suspension of logic all over again. We get it pretty early on that Pinkerton is a wretchedly cavalier figure who basically commits a kind of statutory rape, and he shows his full cowardice in the Act 3 finale. His ignorance and insensitively are hyper-highlighted in this version. Poor Cio-Cio-San here in this version Act 1, however, seems less of a hopeful resilient but naive young lady, and more of a psychologically damaged, Blanche DuBois type of personality, hiding her deep psychosis behind silk lanterns and geisha mannerisms. How can you travel with her and support her if you believe she is simply delusional and nothing more? Here, she looks like the deep dark secret of the family that needs to either be sold off or hospitalized immediately. This is ONLY MY OPINION, but while I do believe in studying your character, and understanding what motivates them, FOR ME, it seems that in this age, we are so consumed with the dark side of people's inner lives, and so cynical, that we cannot wait to snuff out any remnant of light and beauty. That attitude is reflected in so much of our artistry these days, and that's what I see here in this interpretation of MADAMA BUTTERFLY. Again...ONLY MY OPINION.
a little bit bizarre direction. but it expresses this psychological drama well. This drama, CioCioSan is criticizing about an invasion to the religion and ethnic culture of third world people by 'modernized' people like P-I-N-K-E-R-T-O-N. we should think Who is the present PINKERTON.
Amazing, maestro Luciano! Congratulations! 😘
Very different production..the simplicity of the set and costumes make the story itself shine through..Music and performers are brilliant!
Apart from the gorgeous set designs, like a floating world of Ukiyoe painting meet modern chic. Worth mentioning is the singing of Cio cio is really top class, solid and not pushed, which unfortunately which many succumbed to. I haven't heard such fine singing (in fact the whole cast) for a long time, well done Israel!
the most BEAUTIFUL production !!
what a beautiful performance!! cheers!
wonderful production
Giacomo Puccini Forever !
So how is it exactly that they justify Cio-Cio-San floating up the hill, in a boat, and then is being asked by Pinkerton if the climb was tiring for her? The whole point is she walks up with her family and friends, singing "ancora un passo or via..." (one more step and then..), with her friends telling her she's lagging behind. This has been a long journey on foot for Cio-Cio-San, yet energized by her hopeful heart.
((((Sigh)))) Creativity is one thing. Going AWOL from the text is a whole other matter altogether. Once again, let's have a little more faith in Puccini, Illica, and Giacosa worked so hard to create for us.
It feels like the director wanted to highlight the dysfunction and brutality of the situation, almost telling the audience how to feel well ahead of time, instead of letting things unfold on their own. It is a sad scenario from the start, we know, but I think what makes it so gut-wrenching in Act 3 is that this phenomenal music-and her personality-carries us in such a way that we actually elect to suspend logic for another two acts and believe right along with Butterfly that all will be well in the end-and then it isn't. We mourn with and for her-and then we come right back and submit to the suspension of logic all over again.
We get it pretty early on that Pinkerton is a wretchedly cavalier figure who basically commits a kind of statutory rape, and he shows his full cowardice in the Act 3 finale. His ignorance and insensitively are hyper-highlighted in this version. Poor Cio-Cio-San here in this version Act 1, however, seems less of a hopeful resilient but naive young lady, and more of a psychologically damaged, Blanche DuBois type of personality, hiding her deep psychosis behind silk lanterns and geisha mannerisms. How can you travel with her and support her if you believe she is simply delusional and nothing more? Here, she looks like the deep dark secret of the family that needs to either be sold off or hospitalized immediately.
This is ONLY MY OPINION, but while I do believe in studying your character, and understanding what motivates them, FOR ME, it seems that in this age, we are so consumed with the dark side of people's inner lives, and so cynical, that we cannot wait to snuff out any remnant of light and beauty. That attitude is reflected in so much of our artistry these days, and that's what I see here in this interpretation of MADAMA BUTTERFLY. Again...ONLY MY OPINION.
43:07
The actor portrays B.F. Pinkerton in a way that makes him seem likable. When you think about it though his character is a total creep.
D flat is missing 🙄
Names of the performers???
a little bit bizarre direction. but it expresses this psychological drama well. This drama, CioCioSan is criticizing about an invasion to the religion and ethnic culture of third world people by 'modernized' people like P-I-N-K-E-R-T-O-N. we should think Who is the present PINKERTON.