Madama Butterfly

Patricia Racette as Cio-Cio San and Stefano Secco as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Photo by Michael Cooper.

The Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, follows a delicate heroine on an extraordinary journey. Showcasing the brutality that life often offers, and the fate of those too naive to recognize those dangers, it’s a look at a love that occurs between predator and prey.

Set against a peaceful Japanese hilltop, the backdrop is calm, crisp and orderly. Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton (Stefano Secco) of the US Navy is planning to wed a young, vibrant and beautiful girl named Cio-Cio San or "Butterfly" (Patricia Racette). Pinkerton is a crass and arrogant man who sees the life he’s building in Japan as temporary in every way, he even references the flimsy nature of the walls of his newly leased home and how they could be blown away by a strong wind. Pinkerton is warned that he is treading on thin ice, but with the mind of a conqueror, he quickly dismisses the warning. Butterfly is both charming and aggravating in her complete and utter devotion to Pinkerton, renouncing her old life in its entirety to become part of her husband’s world—a leap she takes willingly and with complete commitment. This is her fatal error. It’s not long before Butterfly is alone, watching the horizon in desperate anticipation of her husband’s return.

Puccini's opera is a shocking combination of beauty and brutality. On one side, we see the spirit of the warrior, travelling the world taking what he pleases, and on the other side we see the devastation these actions have on those left to pick up the pieces. Visually, the elegance of this piece can be accredited to set and costume designer Susan Benson. It is her minimalist backdrop that allows the musical fortitude of the score to take centre stage, and her stunning silk costumes appear to float—their movement is extraordinary. The main platform on stage also offers a contrasting texture of wood and rice paper, an excellent pairing of two opposing elements, and tilts forward, creating the illusion of height paired with a slight feeling of precariousness that is very fitting.

Performances to note: Racette delivers an honest, engaging and heartwrenching performance in the role of Madama Butterfly. Dwayne Croft is also impressive in the role of Sharpless, a man who is truly caught in the middle of the chaos, torn between his loyalty and feelings of disgust towards Pinkerton. Croft walks that fine line perfectly in this production, and delivers and excellent performance here.

Madama Butterfly is a classic, dramatic opera that offers a steadily-paced plot with a final act that is famous the world over. Catch this endearing and familiar piece until October 31 at The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. A reminder to those under 30: The Canadian Opera Company offers a great Opera under 30 program. Visit coc.ca for more information and to buy tickets