Last weekend Opera Roanoke presented a fully staged version of the beloved opera “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini to sold out audiences on two separate days. This extraordinary opera requires that the listener have a box of tissue close by as the heartbreaking saga of Cio Cio San’s love affair with her American lover, Lt. Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy unfolds. He is not as faithful to “Butterfly” as she is to him. She has visions of going to America, even renouncing her family and Japanese religion, but it is not to be. After a three year wait he does return to Japan with his American wife. Upon learning of his new wife, Butterfly commits suicide.
Opera Roanoke put on an outstanding production that deserved the standing ovation it received at the end. Yunah Lee sang the part of “Butterfly.” The final act (and in particular “Un bel di” – one fine day) was a thoroughly captivating event, and Lee was utterly convincing in mood and presentation. With her stimulating, powerful lyric soprano she gave a commanding and touching performance revealing the highs and lows of Madama Butterfly’s emotions.
Lee has performed throughout the world and holds a Masters Degree from the Julliard School of Music.
Baritone Thomas Cannon as Sharpless and Christian Reinert as B.F. Pinkerton and Eunjoo Lee as Suzuki added to the overall enjoyment of this presentation with excellent acting and singing. (Reinert, as the villian Pinkerton, received well deserved boo’s and hisses at the end!) Also worth noting was the solo violin work by Concertmaster Nicholas Szucs and flute (and piccolo) by Julee Hickcox.
When Steven White resigned as the full time conductor of Opera Roanoke he left a giant pair of shoes to be filled for the next conductor and General and Artistic Director Scott Williamson, did just that. He conducted the orchestra (made up of members of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra) with a firm baton and brought out the beautiful music that “Madama Butterfly” is known for. He also received a well deserved standing ovation from the audience.
An Interesting Sidenote: During the 2nd act on Friday night, principal violist, Katie Overfield-Zook, ran out of the pit. Flutist Julee Hickcox thought she had broken a string, as she had a big solo coming up soon. But it was not her string she broke – but her water! She and her husband rushed to the hospital Friday night where she gave birth to her 5 lb son 5 weeks early. Proving once again that the drama is not always just on the stage!
