The premiere of Puccini's Madam Butterfly was particularly eventful – we explain what happened here. We recently named 'Un bel vedremo' from Madame Butterfly as one of Puccini's best arias. It’s such a simple yet genius way to introduce the main character. It’s described with a theme that is a musical sequence that can go on forever, just like the dreams and happiness of Butterfly. I absolutely love the introduction of Butterfly on her wedding day. The themes are introduced in a simple way and it’s only later on, as the opera progresses, that you realise their true potential and meaning. You feel and hear the difference between two different worlds.īeing so meticulous, Puccini uses every theme to describe each character brilliantly. They need to see themselves and life itself in Butterfly, and Puccini has described this journey in music so beautifully. If you are sincere and use your technique and interpretation masterfully you can make the character grow – not only as the story progresses but, more importantly, you can make her grow in the audience’s hearts. This opera gives the artist the chance to build something really special from the beginning to the end as Cio-Cio San. Madam Butterfly is the most inspiring Puccini opera for me, although I absolutely love the others as well. We explain how Puccini's Madam Butterfly helped launch Pavarotti's career to global stardom. As the opera goes on, he uses the bass more, and we get inside the character. She is like a butterfly when she comes in. At first Puccini uses the high registers for both the orchestra and Cio-Cio San, and there’s almost a hovering quality.

It goes from sweetness and naivety to a deeper understanding of what commitment and love are. Puccini has clothed the opera in what was, for him, as authentic as possible Japanese sound. To watch her courage, strength and even, sometimes, her harshness is incredible. It’s not the easiest watch or listen in the theatre because you empathise so much with this girl. Her trajectory and the challenging nature of the role for any performer who has the courage to undertake it are torturous yet wondrous at the same time. The protagonist, Cio-Cio San, is a monumental characterisation. Maria Callas, Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Milan /Victor de Sabata Warner Classics 2564634103Īlthough I love conducting La fanciulla del West and Iltrittico, the Puccini opera that inspires me the most is Madam Butterfly. If you like Tosca, we named the best Italian operas to explore after Tosca. We recently named the best recordings of Puccini's Tosca. Check out our guide to Puccini's Tosca, in which we explain why and how the opera was composed.

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