Preview: MADAMA BUTTERFLY (San Francisco Opera)

WE DELIGHT IN THE BEAUTY OF THE BUTTERFLY

For those who saw the visually striking production of San Francisco Opera’s The Magic Flute (2012), designed by the ceramic artist and sculptor Jun Kaneko, an even greater treat is in store as Kaneko returns with a new-to-San Francisco production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, starring the in-demand American soprano Patricia Racette as Cio-Cio-San. Leslie Swackhamer makes her Company debut as director for this “Butterfly that soars in style,” according to Vancouver’s Globe and Mail. “The visual component of this production is so compelling, and so intelligent, that it lifts this opera to a new level.” The production photos are in and the color-saturated design is proof of the ocular orgasm you will have as Puccini’s beautiful, tragic love story opens today at the War Memorial Opera House, playing through July 9, 2014.

Yet this will also be an aural adventure: Racette, celebrating her twenty-fourth anniversary with SF Opera, has proved herself to be in terrific voice this season. Stage and Cinema’s review of Mefistofele said, “The best thing in the show was soprano Patricia Racette, who not only offered fluid phrasing and silvery top notes, but acted the role of Margherita beautifully, moving from a youthful gullibility in ‘The Garden’ to melancholic sorrow in ‘The Death of Margherita.’ Later in Act IV, Racette gives the role of Helen of Troy a sumptuous graciousness.” In her role debut as Julie La Verne in Show Boat, S&C hailed, “Racette personifies the theatrical star she portrays, outshining all else in two of the musical’s big hits, ‘Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man’ and ‘Bill,’ delivering both with whipping wholehearted force.”

American tenor Brian Jagde stars opposite Racette as Cio-Cio-San’s love, the American naval lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton. The Washington Times wrote of his Pinkerton: “Brian Jagde was forceful, decisive, and powerful as Butterfly’s anti-hero.” Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong is Butterfly’s maid and confidante Suzuki; reviewing her performance at the Met, The New York Times said: “DeShong was outstanding. With her deeply resonant low register, she created a character who is tragically prescient about the unfolding disaster.” This bold and beautiful production features the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Music Director Nicola Luisotti and Resident Conductor Giuseppe Finzi.

photos © Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera

Madama Butterfly
San Francisco Opera
Nicola Luisotti, conductor
Giuseppe Finzi, conductor (7/6, 7/9)
co-production with Opera Omaha
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave
running time: 2:50 including one intermission
sung in Italian with English supertitles
scheduled to end on July 9, 2014
for tickets, call (415) 864-3330
or visit http://www.sfopera.com/

Cio-Cio-San Patricia Racette
Lt. B. F. Pinkerton Brian Jagde
Suzuki Elizabeth DeShong
Sharpless Brian Mulligan
Goro Julius Ahn
Prince Yamadori Efrain Solis
The Bonze Morris Robinson
Kate Pinkerton Jacqueline Piccolino
Imperial Commissioner Hadleigh Adams
Aunt Janet Campbell
Cousin Virginia Pluth
Mother Laurel Cameron Porter
Yakuside Christopher Jackson
Official Registrar Jere Torkelson
Sorrow Miles Sperske