Heart-wrenchingly manipulative Butterfly

By Aksel Tollåli, 11 October 2016

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Reviewed at Oslo Opera House, Main Stage, Oslo on 8 October 2016

Puccini, Madama Butterfly

Norwegian National Opera

Daniele Callegari, Conductor

Stephen Langridge, Director

Alison Chitty, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Hui He, Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)

Henrik Engelsviken, Pinkerton

Espen Langvik, Sharpless

Yngve André Søberg, Sharpless

Ingebjørg Kosmo, Suzuki

Jens-Erik Aasbø, The Bonze

Magne Fremmerlid, The Bonze

Thor Inge Falch, Goro

Desirée Baraula, Kate Pinkerton

Randolf Walderhaug, Actor

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Maggie Foyer, 13th September

A dramatic staging of two Greek myths, Wayne McGregor’s Jocasta’s Line is an epic production for Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, a truly modern and totally original work.

****1

Alone and in love: Christoph Loy’s compelling new Onegin in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 15th February

Chrisoph Loy's new Oslo production of Eugene Onegin only somewhat succeeds in its desire to create a meditation on loneliness, but superb musical performances still make it an utterly compelling piece of music theatre.

****1

Too many doors: Don Giovanni in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 29th May

Despite some dramatic frustrations, at least in Oslo, Jones' production is saved by some truly outstanding singing.

***11

Maybe it’s make-believe: a curious Norma in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 20th January

The first staging of Bellini's Norma in Oslo in over a century is unfortunately hampered by an irritating production, yet some glorious singing does much to rescue the show.

**111

Into the abyss: a harrowing Wozzeck in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 25th November

Christoph Loy's Oslo production of Wozzeck is a dramatic triumph, with gripping performances from a cast led by Audun Iversen's desperate title character.

*****

An underwhelming Barber in Oslo

Aksel Tollåli, 14th October

François de Carpentries' Oslo production of The Barber of Seville was both unfunny and underwhelming.

**111

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Aksel Tollåli

Aksel is currently studying towards a degree in musicology at the University of Oslo. At the moment he is an exchange student at Goldsmiths College in London. He is also a choral singer and a trombonist. His musical interests include 20th-cenury French music, Baroque opera and the music of Richard Strauss.

A heart-wrenchingly manipulative Madama Butterfly in Oslo