Madama Butterfly

This is the film that introduced me to one of my favorite operas, "Madama Butterfly," and, as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best versions out there. Raina Kabaivanska, though hardly passible as a teenager, shines in the title role. Her voice and acting are stunning. Nazzareno Antinori is also a solid Pinkerton with a pleasing voice, and Eleonora Jacovic is a wonderful Suzuki. To top things off the scenery is quite well done, and the staging is effective. I can't imagine any other filmed "Butterfly" being better than this one.

It is the late 1800's. An American naval captain, Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton (Nazzareno Antinori) is stationed in Japan. As is a tradition he has a girl in every port. That is except Japan. So, he is matched up with a poverty-stricken teen Cio-Cio-San, known as Butterfly (Raina Kabaivanska.) Butterfly dumps her old religion (which infuriates her relatives) and clings to Pinkerton. Naturally, the day will come when Pinkerton needs a proper American wife. So how does Cio-Cio react? (Puccini music at its best). The story is based on John Luther Long's novella about the relationship between an American naval officer and a former geisha.

This is one of Giacomo Puccini's most popular operas. This was taken from John Luther Long's novella about the relationship between an American naval officer and a former geisha.

I normally appreciate the subtle differences in different presentations of this story. However, this particular one (in Verona in 1983) grated on me as the characters were played by stuffy snobs that mostly walked through the story.

However, the scenery was excellent, and they had the space to do more with props. Also, the music was up to par. I also felt that I was sitting in an outdoor audience.

Even though I know the story it was still good to have fairly accurate subtitles that kept up with the action.

Bulgaria born Raina Kabaivanska has played parts in several made for TV operas.

Raina Kabaivanska Performance is Quite Outstanding. I first saw and heard this diva in Tosca. I also met her in London in 1999 during my holidays with the Royal Australian Air Force.

I have always been a fan of Puccini, and Madama Butterfly is one of my favourites of his. As far as Puccini operas go, while I love them all to death, I only prefer Tosca and La Boheme over Madama Butterfly. Madama Butterfly mayn't have the most plausible story in the world of opera, but it has a lot to make up for it including the charming title character in the name of Cio Cio San(aka Madama Butterfy) and especially the music.

The music is absolutely sublime. And this is not just Un Bel Vedremo and the Humming Chorus. I don't know about anyone else but my personal favourite highlight of the opera is the act 1 duet between Cio Cio San and Pinkerton which whenever I listen to or watch Madama Butterfly I watch and listen over and over again and it never loses its magic.

This is a very well done production in a lot of respects. Brian Large's direction is excellent, while the costume and set design are suitably sumptuous perfectly captured by some beautiful camera work. When it comes to the acting and singing I have very little to fault them, Raina Kabaivanska may not fit the bill for Cio Cio San age-wise, but her acting and singing is so exceptional I found it very easy to forgive. In the proceedings we have a dashing Pinkerton, a wonderful Suzuki and a very good Sharpless, so Kabaivanska also has a solid supporting cast.

All in all, very well done. 9/10 Bethany Cox