Madama Butterfly

Co-Opera is a SA-based professional touring opera company which has been going for over twenty years. I attended the first of two performances at the Athenaeum Club in Melbourne, not to be confused with the Athenaeum Theatre, which was well attended.

The tour is mainly to country venues, requiring simplicity of production, and the single set had multiple levels with Japanese screens at the back. Props were mimed and a rag doll was used for the child. This all worked well. Though they usually perform in English, this was in Italian with sur-titles.

There was much to like in this production, particularly the direction. All the Japanese characters had white makeup, which was effective. The small orchestra on the side was very good.

The title role is one of the most difficult. Though Butterfly is a fifteen-year-old, the music has been written for a mature soprano, and it is difficult balancing these opposing factors. Twenty-one year old Grace Bawden did a remarkable job. She has a big, beautiful voice which will even out as she matures, and her acting was very strong.

As her Pinkerton, Branko Lovrinov had an equally strong voice but his acting skills were well below that of his Butterfly, and his tendency to stand with his hands behind his back was not a good look for him.

Nicholas Cannon was a young Sharpless with an attractive clean baritone voice and strong characterisation. However, for me the outstanding performers were Fiona McArdle as Suzuki and Hew Wagner as Goro.

This production appears to be nearing its end, but I’m sure there will be plenty of venues wanting to book up their next production.

Graham Ford

Images: Bremac Photography