VERISMO OPERA COMPANY OF VALLEJO is currently staging Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” at the Bay Terrace Theatre in Vallejo. The story is simple, so it was easy to follow the English supertitles Saturday without losing sight of the action on the stage. What did distract from the magic, though, was an awkward lack of connection among the players in general and the embarrassing absence of any kind of passion or chemistry between young Butterfly (Melissa Mallory) and her beloved American naval officer Pinkerton (Carmello Tringali).
Though the major players all sang with power and accuracy at Saturday’s performance, it was difficult to discern the emotion that should have accompanied the songs. Pinkerton, for example, sings that Butterfly is so beautiful “that I must have her, even though I injure her butterfly wings.” Yet on stage with the object of his desire, this Pinkerton came across more businesslike than romantic. Likewise, Mallory’s Butterfly falls short in conveying a sense of longing when singing of her yearning to see him again.
The most enjoyable moments in the Verismo production, for me, came through a few exceptional passages from the orchestra, conducted by Michael Moran. Harpist Samantha Garvey played her parts beautifully, and the solo passages by flute (Nancy Hunt) and clarinet (an unnamed substitute for Michael Crane Saturday) were smooth and tender. The most memorable musical moment of all, though, came near the end as Butterfly spotted Pinkerton’s ship sailing in, presumably bringing her love back to her at last. The orchestra sounded notes of deep and boundless joy, as if their moment as musicians had arrived right alongside Butterfly’s beloved groom.
A thoughtfully arranged set, a group effort by company members, nicely portrays a provincial Japanese home, complete with varied floor levels and a paned, rolling screen to divide the rooms. Costumes (by Decades Costumes of Sacramento) also appear authentic, creating a strong visual backdrop to the story.
“Butterfly” scores points in many areas. Accomplished singers and instrumentalists perform in a carefully crafted setting with good acoustics, lighting and coordinated supertitles. The program accomplishes Verismo’s central aim, bringing the genre of opera to a local audience at affordable prices. The absence of romantic feeling, though, steals from the magic of this tale, resulting in a lackluster performance overall.
Coming up next at Verismo is Gian Carlo Menotti’s comic opera, “The Telephone,” in which a suitor doggedly attempts to get his girlfriend’s attention long enough to propose to her. This should be a fun departure for the company. “The Telephone” is scheduled to run at Bay Terrace Theatre from June 6-28.
If You Go
“Madama Butterfly” continues at the Bay Terrace Theatre, 51 Daniels Ave., Vallejo, through March 15. Tickets are $12 to $25 and are available by calling 707-864-5508 or online at www.verismoopera.org.
Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.
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It has been brought to my attention that there might be some confusion regarding which singers were on stage last Saturday when I saw this production, and which are pictured in the accompanying photos. (One photo has been removed from this web edition per the company’s request, for that reason.) Verismo Opera has also requested that I explain their use of alternates. One of the Verismo performers puts it this way:
“Every production includes multiple performers singing each role. This allows Verismo to give performance opportunities to lots of people, which is the company’s mission. The side effect of that, however, is that not every combination of principals has the same on-stage chemistry.
For example, in this run of “Butterfly” there are seven different combinations of Butterfly-Pinkerton. Some of those combinations have incredible on-stage chemistry; some of them do not.”
I hope this clarifies the issue.
-Elizabeth
Don’t review opera if you are not familiar with the medium, I saw the production twice, both casts did a fantastic job. The set was marvelous, Benicia Herald needs someone more versed in the performing arts to do these reviews.
Elizabeth Warnimont is an experienced and knowledgeable reviewer and The Herald is lucky to have her. I know it’s hard to accept, but sometimes shows are bad; sometimes they are good one night and not so good the next. Most of us who read reviews — of theater, film, books, what have you — understand that it is one person’s opinion. For my money I value Elizabeth’s opinion above just about anyone else’s when it comes to stage performances. Ed.