A beautiful, relevant Madama Butterfly arrives in Adelaide

By Brian Angus, 15 November 2019

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Reviewed at Adelaide Festival Centre, Festival Theatre, Adelaide on 14 November 2019

Puccini, Madama Butterfly

State Opera South Australia

Tobias Ringborg, Conductor

Kate Cherry, Director

Christina Smith, Set Designer

Mariana Hong, Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)

Angus Wood, Pinkerton

Douglas McNicol, Sharpless

Caitlin Cassidy, Suzuki

Pelham Andrews, The Bonze

Jeremy Tatchell, Prince Yamadori

Adam Goodburn, Goro

Bethany Hill, Kate Pinkerton

Joshua Rowe, The Imperial Commissioner

Matt Scott, Lighting Designer

State Opera South Australia Chorus

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Dove’s excellent opera Flight touches down in Australia

Sandra Bowdler, 8th May

Jonathan Dove’s opera Flight earns its title as the most popular modern opera with this excellent ensemble performance in Adelaide, its Australian premiere.

****1

State Opera South Australia enliven Lucia di Lammermoor

Sandra Bowdler, 16th November

A hoary old production of an operatic warhorse is brought to quite energetic life by a sparkling cast and excellent musical and dramatic performance.

***11

Australian beachside fun in Adelaide Così fan tutte

Sandra Bowdler, 5th September

Così fan tutte is a fun-filled night at the State Opera of South Australia, well cast and continuously entertaining without sacrificing musical or vocal values.

****1

Stravinsky's Nightingale takes flight to open the Adelaide Festival

Sandra Bowdler, 1st March

A piecemeal evening of high musical values as the Adelaide Festival opens with short Stravinsky pieces rather than the usual substantial opera.

***11

Lauren Fagan and Kang Wang excel in Adelaide's new Traviata

Brian Angus, 25th August

Sarah Giles directs a no-frills production for the State Opera of South Australia, but one that brims with emotion.

****1

Richard Meale’s Voss revived in all its brilliance in Adelaide

Brian Angus, 7th May

Sometimes referred to as “the great Australian opera” ,Voss has had few Australian airings since its 1986 premiere. This new production shows why it is held in such high regard.

****1

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Brian Angus

Brian is a lover of opera, and has enjoyed attending operas for over forty years. Brian has very catholic tastes; favourite classic composers are Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi, contemporary composers John Adams and Jake Heggie, and a curiosity about Stockhausen’s music. He is always seeking opportunities to expand his appreciation of the world of music and opera.