Regarded as one of the greatest love stories of all time, Scottish Opera’s Madama Butterfly makes a welcome return to the stage, writes Susan Welsh
More than 100 years have passed since Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly was first performed, yet this love story remains as poignant as ever, and still has the power to reduce many in the audience to tears.
Powerful and moving, this classic tale remains as fresh as ever, which is why it is regarded as one of the world’s most popular operas.
Scottish Opera is touring currently with a revival of Sir David McVicar’s Madama Butterfly, which has been a firm favourite with audiences since it was first staged in 2000.
This hugely atmospheric production is in Inverness this week and Aberdeen next week, before returning to Glasgow in July to perform in the city during the Commonwealth Games.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, Madama Butterfly is thought to be based on a true story and depicts the surprisingly common practice of American servicemen taking temporary wives in Japan, before returning to the United States alone.
Cio-Cio San, a young girl living in Nagasaki and known as Butterfly, has fallen for Pinkerton, a reckless American naval officer stationed near her home.
Despite her family’s fears and objections, she gives up all she has to marry him, but he soon abandons her to return to his native America.
When he returns three years later, Butterfly is still patiently waiting for him, willing to do whatever is needed in the name of love.
But ahead lies only betrayal and heartbreak.
Although Sir David’s production deliberately forgoes sentimentality to lay bare the atmospheric and powerful story of the reckless lieutenant and his loyal wife, the story itself is so deeply moving that few will come away without feeling affected by its retelling.
Korean soprano Hye-Youn Lee, tipped as one of the ones to watch last year, and Anne Sophie Duprels (Manon 2009) share the role of Butterfly, while José Ferrero (Tosca 2012) takes the role of the dastardly Pinkerton.
Scottish Opera Emerging Artist Andrew McTaggart sings the role of Prince Yamadori, while Christopher Purves and Marcin Bronikowski share the role of Sharpless.
Italian Marco Guidarini conducts the orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Revival director Elaine Kidd said: “The production is a real classic, with exquisite period detail in the costumes.
“With two Butterflies sharing the lead role who can act as sensitively as they sing, it will have the power to cut to the core.
“I’m particularly thrilled that Italian conductor Marco Guidarini is returning to work with us, because he is steeped in this passionate, dramatic and lyrical music.
“Madama Butterfly has been a hugely popular opera for many, many years: this is a great place to start for first-timers, but of course it is also a real favourite of regular opera-goers.”
Madama Butterfly is at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, with performances at 7.15pm tonight on Thursday, June 5 and Saturday, June 7.
A free, but ticketed, unwrapped performance takes place at 6pm tomorrow night on Friday, June 6 and there’s a pre-performance talk in The MacLean Room on Saturday June at 6pm. Contact the box office on 01463 234234. The opera can be seen at HM Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 12, and Saturday, June 14. Free events include an unwrapped performance at 6pm on June 13 and a pre-show talk at 6pm on June 14. Contact 01224 641122 or visit www.scottishopera.org.uk