Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | English | Anthony Minghella

Asmik Grigorian's astonishing acting and subtle vocalism make for a promising Met debut in this revival of Anthony Minghella's lacquered staging. 

Anthony Minghella's classic production of Madam Butterfly makes a welcome return with a sensational role debut by Natalya Romaniw as Cio-Cio-San.

Anthony Minghella's production remains a feast for the eyes, but this performance failed to gel into a dramatic whole. 

A star-turn from Ermonela Jaho as Puccini's heroine. 

 “The Minghella Butterfly” has physically lost none of its luster, but the singing did not live up to the staging.

The sheer opulence of Minghella's staging often overwhelms, drenched in colour. Is that enough to really get to the core of the drama though, or is it all surface gloss?

Anthony Minghella's Madama Butterfly is still one of the best productions running at the Met at the moment, and Kristine Opolais was the dramatic star of the evening.

To describe this revival of Puccini's much-loved Madam Butterfly as a visual spectacle would be to do it a disservice. Originally directed by Anthony Minghella in its first outing in 2005, it is one of ENO's greatest success stories.

Anthony Minghella's famous production of Puccini's Madam Butterfly debuted with ENO in 2005, and has been revived several times since at the Coliseum, as well as travelling to the Met in New York and the Lithuanian National Opera. ENO's latest revival confirms the classic status of this version, with a musical account which goes some way to matching the sumptuous and – yes – cinematic visuals.

Read our review of Anthony Minghella's production of Puccini­'s Madama Buttefly in its 2009 broadcast from the Met Opera in New York.