A visually stunning Madama Butterfly from New Zealand Opera

By Simon Holden, 19 April 2013

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Reviewed at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland on 18 April 2013

Puccini, Madama Butterfly

New Zealand Opera

Antoinette Halloran, Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly)

Peter Savidge, Sharpless

Lucy Schaufer, Suzuki

James Benjamin Rodgers, Goro

Jared Holt, Prince Yamadori

Piero Pretti, Pinkerton

Richard Green, The Bonze

Bianca Andrew, Kate Pinkerton

Kieran Rayner, The Imperial Commissioner

Tobias Ringborg, Conductor

Kate Cherry, Director

Opening the doors of memory: a haunting Bluebeard’s Castle in Auckland

Simon Holden, 13th March

In Daisy Evans’ conception, as Judith briefly reconnects with the joy and tragedy of her past, the effect is nothing short of devastating.

****1

Into the labyrinth: opera and community in The Monster in the Maze

Simon Holden, 19th September

Director Anapela Polata’ivao handles her mixed forces of amateurs and professionals with seamless assurance, the crowds’ movements across the stage showing both clarity and intent.

****1

Stunning direction elevates New Zealand Opera's La bohème

Simon Holden, 29th May

New Zealand Opera's new production impresses with its stunning set design and art direction, and its restrained emotional tone.

***11

Fine singing but messy staging: Le Comte Ory at New Zealand Opera

Simon Holden, 30th May

Director Simon Phillips takes the opportunity to reshape the setting of Rossini's comic opera to modern-day New Zealand.

***11

Blissful Mansfield Park in Auckland

Simon Holden, 21st April

Dove’s masterful adaptation, combined with an ebullient and characterful rendition by New Zealand Opera, make for a very effective and at times, very moving, afternoon at the opera.

*****

Gluck reimagined: (m)Orpheus in Auckland

Simon Holden, 6th September

Gareth Farr re-orchestrates Gluck in Neil Ieremia's imaginative reinterpretation of the Orpheus myth for New Zealand Opera.

****1

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Simon Holden

Simon is an operaphile based in Auckland, New Zealand. He wrote his dissertation on Japanese popular music. With a background in piano and classical music retail, he spends his time attending as much opera or vocal concert as he can and blogs at irishenceaway.blogspot.com.