Madama Butterfly Opera in Rome
Between the 21st and 26th of February, the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma presents the opera ‘Madama Butterfly’ by Giacomo Puccini, with the libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. The opera is directed by Pinchas Steimberg, who was an outstanding director of the Symphonic Orchestra of Radio Vienna and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. As the star and playing Madama Butterfly there’s Daniela Dessi, the most popular Italian soprano, in and outside Italy. After winning in 1980 the first International Competition of RAI, she’s explored different repertoires, from baroque to heroes in operas from Verdi and Mozart.
The maiden Zuzuki will be played by the mezzosoprano Anna Malavasi. Officer B. F. Pinkerton will be played by the tenor Alexey Dolgov. It also has the participation of the Orchesta e Coro dell’Opera.
‘Madama Butterfly’ is a three-act opera that is based on the story of the same name written by John Luther Long and in Pierre Loti’s novel ‘Madame Chrysanthème’. Despite the opera was originally written in two acts, its premiere at La Scala in Milan in 1904 was a disaster. Both the critics and the public considered it unfinished, despite that the performers were the outstanding tenor Giovani Zenatello and the soprano Rosina Storchio. According to the comments of the time, this was due that the work was finished late and there was no time for rehearsals. Finally, Puccini took the show off the programme and re-wrote it, making changes among which he divided the second act in two.
In 1906 it premiered in the most important cities in the world but, in 1907, Puccini made new changes that resulted in the end version that is known as the standard one today.
The plot is based on the drama brought by the deception caused by the officer of the American Navy B. F. Pinkerton to the young 15 year old Cio-Cio San, who he marries in Nagasaki while his ship, the USS Abraham Lincoln, is anchored in the bay. The play opens up when Pinkerton rents a house in the hills of Nagasaki to live with Cio-Cio San, nicknamed Madama Butterfly. While for her marriage is a life commitment, for Pinkerton it’s a temporary adventure, that will culminate when he finds an American girl suitable for his condition.
The second act is the anxious wait of Madama Butterfly for Pinkerton to return, who left after the wedding. The arrival of the consul Sharpless with a letter from her lover fills her with emotion and, before she finishes reading it, she confesses that she’s expecting Pinkerton’s baby.
The third and final act is the arrival of Pinkerton, his wife Kate and the American consul to ask Madama Buttefly to give the baby so he can be educated by Pinkerton and Kate. Pinkerton decides that he can’t ask for this and cowardly sends Zuzuki, the consul and Kate to ask for the child to be handed over. Madama Butterfly doesn’t oppose and gives her child, as she kills herself with her father’s knife.
For more information: http://www.operaroma.it/stagione/stagione_2011_2012/madama_butterfly
Nancy Guzman
Going to the opera is a great alternative for this winter, so rent apartments in Rome and don’t miss out on it!
