May 10, 2009 00:59
I went to see Madam Butterfly today at the Arsht Center in Miami. It was BEAUTIFUL, granted the second act was a little slow, but overall it was beautiful.Gosh, I can't remember the singer's name right now but the artist that played Madam Butterfly was wonderful, what a voice and what good acting. Every emotion was portrayed in away that you could feel it, almost reach for it.
I know most people will say Opera? Really? Your into that stuff? (I had 6 people tell me this today) and yes, this is the first time I go, but I've heard it with my grandfather when I was younger. I say take a chance and go see it. I don't know about other places but tickets were like 19 dollars plus tax, we went with valet parking because we didn't know the place very well and were running slightly late, so that was 20 (well worth it I might add) so for 25 say 30 dollars per person we had a really good time. Next time I'm going for better seats, I absolutely believe they would be worth it.
Now about the story if you don't know it. It's about a Japanese girl who marries a North American Soldier/Captain or something (hehe) She falls very much in love and gives up her family and religion for him. Now here I'm not sure if he ever truly loved her or not, but he says "It's a japanese marriage, I marry her for 999 years, but can end it in a month. Nothing is set in stone in the country" He also mentoins later on going to marry for real to an American woman. Act one ends with them declaring their love.
Act two is three years later and she is waiting for him to come back. Everyone tells her he won't but she doesn't believe them. She says he promised and he will. The embasador comes with a letter to tell her he won't be back and she brings out her son who was born after the captain left. She doesn't believe him when she is again told he won't come back. Then she spots his ship coming into the harbor. She cleans her house and waits all night for him.
Third act, he comes back with a woman, his wife. They talk to susuki, her friend/maid and tell her to tell Butterfly to give the child to the woman to raise, they must insure his feature. The captain leaves and says he can't be there when they tell her. Madam Butterfly wakes up and figures everything out. She says that she will give up her son if he comes to get him in half an hour. She cries and and hugs her child, saying goodbye to him and to live with no regrets. She sends him to play, brings a partition and the sword with which her dad committed suicide. Behind the particion she puts the knife to her neck and kills herself as the captain calls her name.
Tragic, beautiful. I loved it. Great mother's day gift.
madame butterfly