Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Maazel, Hayashi, Kim, Dvorsky, Teatro Alla Scala

Product Description Madama Butterfly is one of the most-performed stage works in the world and is considered the pivotal opera of Puccini's career. This exquisite and highly acclaimed production from La Scala presents the tragic tale of a woman's relentless struggle within a traditionally conformist society and a loveless marriage. Japanese director Keita Asari cast two of the Far East's leading singers in the coveted female roles and collaborated with Japanese specialists on lighting, choreography and design. The result is a uniquely stylized and authentic production, subdued like an Oriental watercolor on a silk canvas, beautifully bringing to life Madama Butterfly's metamorphosis. Lorin Maazel conducts the Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro Alla Scala, Milan. Amazon.com What distinguishes this excellent production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly from others is its intensely Japanese flavor. La Scala engaged a Japanese director, and he adopted many conventions of Japanese theater, including the dark-clad stagehands, whom the audience is supposed to not notice, a Zen-style rock garden rather than the profusion of blossoms usually seen, and the use of red fabrics (ribbon and rug) to symbolize the blood in the suicide scene. The singing and acting often has a Japanese restraint (unexpected but not unwelcome in an Italian opera house). The Japanese Cio-Cio-San (Hayashi Yasuko) and Korean Suzuki (Hack-Nam Kim) give a special authenticity to the casting. An Italian singer, Ernesto Gavazzi, has the role of the slimy marriage broker, Goro, but this works quite well because Goro has adopted Western mannerisms. George Dvorsky is a convincing Pinkerton, Giorgio Zancanaro is a sympathetic Sharpless, and the singing is good throughout, though seldom electrifying. --Joe McLellan
ASIN: B00005R5HG
VSKU: DBV.B00005R5HG.A
Condition: Acceptable
Author/Artist:Yasuko Hayashi|Anna Caterina Antonacci|Hack-Nam Kim|Giorgio Zancanaro|Peter Dvorsky|Ernesto Gavazzi|Arturo Testa|Silvestro Sammaritano|Sergio Fontana|Claudio Giombi|Saverio Porzano|Milena Pauli|David Belasco|Giuseppe Giacosa|Luigi Illica|Derek Bailey
Binding: Dvd
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case will show wear, and may be in library packaging. Ships fast!