LA Opera had their opening night of the 2024-25 season presenting the opera Madame Butterfly by Puccini at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. And Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) played by soprano Karah Son did not disappoint. She stole the show. Not only a beautiful voice, but also a great actor. Son was the perfect choice to cast for this role since she has performed it over 300 times.
This version of Madame Butterfly was presented in a unique way, with the combination of stage and cinema. Director Mario Gas has this production being performed for the cameras on a 1930's film set. It was unusually special to see the old, vintage Bell & Howell camera casings which had the actual modern video cameras inside being used by a film crew. The film crew were situated at both sides of the stage so that the performers were always in view for the audience. Audience members were witnessing a film being made, with video projected in black and white on a screen above the stage with supertitle translations from Italian to English. It was an interesting mix of media. I personally have never before experienced a staged opera presented like this.
Tenor Jonathan Tetelman was cast as US naval officer Lt. Pinkerton (He also played Pinkerton at The Met earlier this year). Casting Tetelman was also a wise choice because he looks like a movie star, tall and handsome with a great singing voice. Even though he towered over Son, her voice was as powerful as his. She was enchanted by this handsome American and he was mesmerized by this fifteen-year-old beauty. A marriage that started out blissfully, but ended with Pinkerton abandoning her and becoming a bigamist. The audience had a love-hate relationship to him and empathized with her. The tragic tale of a teenage woman who dreamed of being rescued by an American man, even if it meant being renounced by her own family.
All of the supporting roles were also excellent choices: Bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as American consul Sharpless had a great stage presence and a voice to match; tenor Rodell Aure Rosel playing Goro the mischievous matchmaker brought comic relief to a dark story; mezzo-soprano Hyona Kim was phenomenal as Suzuki, loyal servant to Butterfly. Along with a great voice, she is also an extremely capable actor. Kim also is a stunt performer, being pushed to the ground twice by Butterfly; Baritone Hyungiin Son made an impressive debut as Prince Yamadori, the wealthy suitor; and little four-year-old Ean Sun was adorable as the son of Butterfly and Pinkerton.
Conductor James Conlon was the straw that stirred the drink. As usual, he had the orchestra sounding gloriously and having great chemistry with the performers on stage. He will be missed when he retires from the LA Opera after the 2025-26 season, his 20-year tenure spanning half of the company's history. But not to worry, he plans to return to the LA Opera as a guest conductor.
Reader Comments(0)