Madama Butterfly

Puccini’s poignant—some would say mawkish—tale of Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese bride betrayed and driven to suicide by her caddish American husband Pinkerton, is one of the world’s most popular operas, and this 2017 revival of Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s staging for the Royal Opera House in London will certainly appeal to those desiring a traditional approach. The pastel setting, with its pink cherry blossoms and a view of Nagasaki harbor, is lovely, as are the perfectly-in-sync costumes. And the visuals are matched by the musical elements as Antonio Pappano draws lushly romantic playing from the company orchestra along with magical sounds in the famous Humming Chorus. Ermonela Jaho offers an electrifying performance in the title role, her limpid soprano combined with deeply moving acting. Although the supporting cast—Marcelo Puente as Pinkerton, Scott Hendricks as the American consul Sharpless, Carlo Bosi as the sniveling marriage broker Goro, Jeremy White as Cio-Cio-San’s imperious uncle Bonze, and Yuriy Yurchuk as haughty Prince Yamadori—do not quite match Jaho, all are still excellent, with Elizabeth DeShong standing out as Butterfly’s faithful servant Suzuki (she and Jaho deliver an exquisite Flower Duet). One might ask for a bit more edginess in what is essentially an indictment of colonial arrogance, but when the opera comes off as touching as it does here, there is not much room for complaint. Presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include an introduction to the opera, rehearsal footage with Jaho and Pappano, and a cast gallery. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)