MADAMA BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).
This is one of the most famous and most sung Opera in the world. It opens the 2023-2024 season at the TNSC, in Lisbon, being an event in the cultural sphere. This time starring Zarina Abaeva, on the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th October and Elisa Cho, on the 12th and 14th of October. The story of Butterfly originates from temporary marriages that took place in Japan, in 1885 in Nagasaki, with the habit of a contract lasting one month. This was until the foreigner leaves the country. Premiered in Milan in 1904 and in Lisbon in 1908.
1st Act: Unfolds with the Lieutenant of the American Navy, Pinkerton, full of voluptuousness played by the Portuguese Tenor Carlos Cardoso, endowed with good high notes and, with dramatic expression, not voice, but which we would like with lyrical beauty, round and with a more timbre sweet. Goro, the matchmaker was Marco Alves dos Santos, who revealed stage experience. Goro is paid for the Contract intervention. Meanwhile, the American Consul appears, Sharpless sung by baritone Stefan Astkhov, who seemed somewhat immature for the role, with an unmusical voice. The ceremony is interrupted by Uncle Bonzo sang by the excellente and big voice of Christian Luján, a Buddhist priest, who condemns such a marriage! Butterfly and her lover sing a duet, in which she explains how butterflies are pricked with a pin so they don't run away.
2nd Act: Butterfly sings the beautiful aria 'Un Bel Di Vedremo', three years pass without hearing news from the American, reporting the reasons why she became Geisha, due to economic scarcity. Suzuki the maid, played by mezzo-soprano Cátia Moreso, (dramatic and deep voice), who laments her mistress's deception and loneliness, which will lead to a dramatic end.
Before the Consul who visits her, Cio-Cio--San (Butterfly), shows him the American's son, while a gun salute is heard, announcing the arrival of a ship (with Pinkerton).
3rd Act:: Sitting looking at the pier are the three of them, Butterfly, Susuki and the boy. where they spent the night until sunrise. Pinkerton appears and sings the beautiful aria 'Adio Fiorito Asil', a lady is seen in the garden, it is the lieutenant's wife who wants to adopt their son. An ending in which soprano Zarina Abaeva gave more voice, finding the best point of acoustics and voice projection.
Considerations: The staging of Acopo Spirei respected the context, which is not happening in Opera Theatres, and the ending with a white-haired Butterfly, obese watching TV, without the courage or strength to stab herself
The Orchestra directed by Maestro Antonio Pirolli, had excellent strength and sound, although we already inform not to cover the voices with excessive orchestral sound!The audience gave an enthusiastic standing ovation!