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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Zeffirelli 'Butterfly' at the Verona Arena, June 4, 2006
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Fiorenza Cedolins, Marcello Giordani, Juan Pons, Francesca Franci, Carlo Bosi, Daniel Oren, Verona Opera (DVD)
A previous reviewer dissed this production because of Zeffirelli's conception. I must respectfully disagree with him. Zeffirelli is a known quantity -- he tends to mount productions that are traditional but just a bit over the top. Considering that this is Italian opera, I don't see anything wrong with that. (I still love his Met 'Bohème' no matter what others say.) As for the sets, which of course were designed by Zeffirelli, they are not really over the top, although they are lush and absolutely gorgeous to look at.
What makes a 'Butterfly' for me (aside from musical considerations, about which more below) the most important thing is that I believe the action. And in this production I do. Granted neither Cedolins as Butterfly or Giordani as Pinkerton is a youngster. But each of them is a good enough actor to make us believe them. Cedolins is the show, of course, as anyone portraying Butterfly must be. She is a very believable actress and I will admit that I forgot that she was a 40ish Italian soprano; she made me enter into the world of a young and credulous Japanese child-bride. Her Act II and III are heart-breaking. Pinkerton's remorse in Act III is believable (even if he is still an 'ugly American.') Outstanding is the venerable Juan Pons as Sharpless.
Musically, this 'Butterfly' is at or near the top rank. The Israeli conductor Daniel Oren leads an exciting performance. His orchestra is outstanding, the pacing is precise and apt, and Oren is emotionally and musically in sync with his singers. Cedolins is not necessarily an ideal Butterfly musically in that she cannot quite convey the ineffable tenderness and rapture required of this quintessentially lyrico-spinto role and her 'Un bel dì' is slightly disappointing on that score. Butterfly, of course, is a horribly difficult role because, like Violetta, it almost requires two different voice types in one singer. As for Giordani's Pinkerton, it is quite impressive. Giordani is strangely little-known but he really does have a marvelous Italianate tenor and this part fits him like a glove. Granted, it is strange to see little blond Trouble as the child of two Italian brunet(te)s -- Cedolins and Giordani -- but verisimilitude be damned: the child is winsome and a good little actor, too. (It was strange to read the English subtitle that has him named 'Pain' rather than the more traditional 'Trouble', but no matter.) Juan Pons is both sympathetic and musically magnificent as Sharpless. Francesca Franci's Suzuki is good but not outstanding. The rest of the secondary characters are more than acceptable. (I did wonder why Goro was wearing a kimono made out of what looks for all the world like Burberry plaid!)
As far as the stage action, costumes and set I have absolutely no complaints. Indeed, I was more than a little impressed by them. Seeing this after seeing Robert Wilson's kabuki-inspired 'Butterfly' was like coming home after a trip to a strange (read: weird) land.
TT:142 mins; Subtitles: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish; Sound: (excellent!) Dolby 5.1, DTS 5.1, LPCM Stereo.
Scott Morrison
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and perfect!, April 1, 2006
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Fiorenza Cedolins, Marcello Giordani, Juan Pons, Francesca Franci, Carlo Bosi, Daniel Oren, Verona Opera (DVD)
I too have been searching for a good Butterfly, and this is my 3rd try. And this IS it. The soprano was spectacular. She's Puccini, not bel canto, but this is Puccini. Yes it does begin on the side of a hill that opens to Butterfly's home. That home is NOT grandiose, it is simple. The tenor had a beautiful voice too. Sharpless did a marvelous acting job. The direction was perfect. The harpies were a perfect touch and did not at all detract from the traditional staging. The colors and music were absolutely beautiful. One Fine Day took my breath away; she sang it perfectly. The opening hill and the harpies are the only unconventional touches I noticed, the only signs of a nontraditional director's hand with the possible scenes of frenzy from Butterfly toward the end. That too was good. She IS in a frenzy, frantic. And as for Pinkerton's being too old, have you ever seen a production of Butterfly with a 15 year old girl? I loved it. I applauded the soprano (none of these names is familiar to me). I've seen an Oriental Butterfly (East meets West, Italian opera doesn't mix with Japanese artifice), and I've seen the mimed movie version with Freni and Domingo (which I thought was ridiculous), all in my search for a GOOD production of one of my favorite operas. I kept wondering why no one ever made one, they make as written films of other operas. And finally as for Zeffirelli, as in Boheme, Pagliacci and Cavaleria (the only others of his I've seen, and I own them), his touch was gifted and perfect. At last and many wasted dollars later, I have my Madama Butterfly. That soprano's singing was out of this world.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elegance on a basic story., July 17, 2007
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Fiorenza Cedolins, Marcello Giordani, Juan Pons, Francesca Franci, Carlo Bosi, Daniel Oren, Verona Opera (DVD)
Although almost all operas are made to be seen in person, Madama Butterfly is a show I think one HAS to see in person in order to fully take in its effect. A DVD could never do this show justice.
This DVD is no different, but I feel did a very good job in putting up a great show. My biggest criticism (as others have put here) is an over-abundance of elegance. Suzuki is a poor girl, there is no way she would be living her lifestyle that they portrayed.
The stage though was beautiful. Gorgeous and detailed set, and equally beautiful costumes. I was surprised considering how this performance was done, that the sound was so pure. This is not a particular favorite opera of mine, but the performers were wonderful in both acting and singing.
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