OPERA: MADAMA BUTTERFLY, CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA AND PAGLIACCI
BY IRINA DUNN
The music of these two shows is to die for, as the heroines can testify.
Eighteen-year-old Butterfly, deserted by US naval officer Pinkerton, tops herself in the manner of a Japanese samurai with the words “Death with honour is better than life with dishonour.”
And in the spaghetti westerns of opera, known affectionately as Cav (Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni) and Pag (Pagliacci by Leoncavallo), Alfio kills his wife’s lover in the former and the brutal Canio kills his unfaithful wife and her lover in the latter.
No one can wrench emotion from music like Puccini, and Antoinette O’Halloran – replacing an indisposed Cheryl Barker on the night I attended OA production – brought the house down with her poignant rendition of One Fine Day.
Nicole Youl was a passionate Santuzza (in Cav), the magnificent strength of her voice powerfully conveying the despair of her wronged status.
And Amelia Farrugia as Canio’s wife Nedda in Pag is as captivating as she always is, no matter what role she takes on.
Supporting casts were excellent and the music was inspiring and moving. If Opera Australia’s aim was to please audiences in this summer season, they have succeeded in full measure. The stages might be littered with bodies but the audiences are just lapping it up.
Madama Butterfly runs until 23 March, and Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci runs until 14 February.
Sydney Opera House. $93-$250, 9318 8200 or www.opera-australia.org.au
