Monday, October 15, 2007
Innovative set design, strong cast boost 'Butterfly'
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Pittsburgh Opera's season devoted to Italian opera opened Saturday night with Giacomo Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly' in a production that is most appealing for its strong principal singers and must-see set."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I’ve seen Madame Butterfly before, and the set seemed to be just what was needed. Opera is always about huge, opulent things, and I feel as though, for this opera, this idea can easily take away from the show. While I understand the beautiful aspect described in this review, it seems as though there are a few visual elements that were too overpowering for what the show needed. Design and directing are delicate balances, and I suppose for opera, it is okay to err on the side of “too grand”.I’ve seen Madame Butterfly before, and the set seemed to be just what was needed. Opera is always about huge, opulent things, and I feel as though, for this opera, this idea can easily take away from the show. While I understand the beautiful aspect described in this review, it seems as though there are a few visual elements that were too overpowering for what the show needed. Design and directing are delicate balances, and I suppose for opera, it is okay to err on the side of “too grand”.
I guess in an instance like this where there seem to be so many flaws, or rather the review leads one to think that there are many flaws, a brilliant and even distracting design is good. However, I have always been under the impression that sometimes a set that is so elaborate is distracting. It takes away from the story being told which is why I have some concern towards this design. Who knows though, I havn't seen the production or even stage pictures to accuratly be able to give it an assessment but from the review, it seems like it may have been over designed.
this sounds like it is an amazing production of an already tremendous Opera. Madama Butterfly is one of Puccini's greatest works and one of my favorite operas. The interesting thing about this production though seems to be the set design. Whether it is a success or not i cannot say, but i do think that the elaborate approach of all the various aspcts is an interesting one. it seems that elaborate in this case my have been too much. i am curious to see thisproduction to see if less may have been more.
Post a Comment