Toho Towa Co., Ltd.
[Opera at the cinema] Royal Opera’s “Madame Butterfly” released on Friday, June 7th! Updated to a stage that gives Japanese audiences “peace of mind”! All eyes are on Asmik Grigorian, who gives an overwhelming performance in the difficult role of “The Soprano Killer”!
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“Royal Opera House Cinema Season” allows you to experience ballet and opera performances performed at the Royal Opera House, the world’s most prestigious opera house, on a screen with special footage. This season’s “Royal Opera House Cinema Season 2023/24” features an ultra-luxurious lineup of 8 works – 4 ballets and 4 operas. With the large screen and powerful sound of a movie theater, which is a little different from the charm of attending a live performance, we will deliver the ultimate experience where you can enjoy the best opera and ballet performances without leaving Japan.
Updated to a stage that gives Japanese audiences “peace of mind”! All eyes are on Asmik Grigorian, who gives an overwhelming performance in the difficult role of “The Soprano Killer”! Let’s explore the charm of “Madama Butterfly” with commentary from Kohei Tari of NBS/Japan Performing Arts Foundation!
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/73/resize/d16700-73-9736b6fc0cd66ebecac9-0.jpg&s3=16700-73-16e23ce5ff8671108558ad3bfdaf723f-3900×2600.jpg] Madame Butterfly, set in Nagasaki, Japan during the Meiji period, is a special opera for Japanese people. It is said that there are currently 60 to 70 operas regularly performed at opera houses around the world, but “Madama Butterfly” is the only one set in Japan. Japanese people are very strict about how Japanese culture is expressed on stage, and even though it was a major production, there were no opportunities to see this production outside of domestic groups. The screening of “Madame Butterfly” at the Royal Opera House Cinema Season may have brought about a change in the situation in Japan,” explains Tari. The Royal Moshe Riser, directed by Patrice Collier, was first performed in 2003. This will be the 9th re-performance, with the participation of Japanese staff, and the stage has been updated repeatedly to ensure that it does not feel strange even from a Japanese perspective, making it a stage that gives Japanese audiences peace of mind. Please pay attention to this point.
In addition, efforts have been made to ensure that the production of the opera, which has an established historical background, does not give an old-fashioned impression to modern viewers. “In this performance, we are not simply recreating the Meiji era, but elements that are traditional yet somehow modern are woven throughout,” explains the costume design. The work shows that it is possible to change the impression given to the audience by incorporating a white background curtain that looks like a shoji or shoji screen to create a natural Japanese feel.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/73/resize/d16700-73-6905cb1a0fb97ffb281e-0.jpg&s3=16700-73-158659f778633acbcf3ad413a7513dae-3876×2584.jpg] Mr. Tari also explains that one of the more noteworthy points about this work is Asmik Grigorian, who played the role of the cute 15-year-old girl, Butterfly. Among Puccini’s works, Mr. Butterfly is a difficult role that requires a soft and delicate tone, and is sometimes referred to as a “soprano killer,” but she has the power to convey the main character’s feelings to the audience with just her voice, and even has a high level of acting ability. Grigoryan’s ability to do both gives off an overwhelming presence and
individuality that other singers don’t have. Mr. Tasato praised Grigorian as a driving force behind the musical success of this screening, saying, “Her uniquely strong and supple voice takes on various colors depending on the role, and when she plays it, it gives the impression that an opera heroine is full of blood. She becomes a bold character, and the stage shines even more vividly,” he said of her charm, which leaves a strong impression on the audience. The production has been updated to make it more approachable for Japanese people, and the cast, including Asmik Grigorian, have overwhelming singing talent, and the production is a splendid re-performance. Whether you’re new to this masterpiece or love it, don’t miss out on this masterpiece, which is sure to bring you great discoveries.
Click here for the full commentary on “Madama Butterfly” by Kohei Tari (NBS/Japan Performing Arts Foundation)
https://tohotowa.co.jp/roh/news/2024/06/03/kaisetsu_madama_butterfly2023/
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/73/resize/d16700-73-2f17c2f0cd249aeb316a-0.jpg&s3=16700-73-8c8916c93ae56759bcd746a96e2dd5ca-3900×2600.jpg] -Royal Opera “Madame Butterfly” production information-
[STORY]
In Japan in the early 20th century, Pinkerton, an American naval officer, temporarily stays in Nagasaki and marries Butterfly, who was from a samurai family but lost her father and was working as a geisha. Although she was Pinkerton’s local wife during his short stay, Butterfly believed that this was a true marriage and converted to Christianity, which led to her being disowned by all her relatives. Eventually, Pinkerton leaves Nagasaki, and Chocho-san has a son. Butterfly believes in Pinkerton and continues to wait, but three years later, he returns to Nagasaki and is accompanied by his American wife Kate…
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/16700/73/resize/d16700-73-54d530d9d4dbac43b91a-0.jpg&s3=16700-73-84b36bfda74d6f3abb7ac9bae28ea98a-3900×2600.jpg] 《Madame Butterfly》
Music: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica
(Original work: John Luther Long’s novel “Madame Butterfly” and David Belasco’s play “Madame Butterfly”)
Conductor: Kevin John Edusei
Directed by: Moshe Reiser, Patrice Collier
Replay director: Daisy Evans
Art: Christian Fenuilla
Costumes: Agostino Cavalca
Lighting: Christophe Foret
Royal Opera Chorus (Choral conductor: William Spaulding)
Royal Opera House Orchestra (principal guest concertmaster under contract with Trittico: Vasko Vassilev)
【cast】
B.F. Pinkerton: Joshua Guerrero
Goro: Yachun Fan
Suzuki: Hongni Wu
Sharpless: Lauri Vassar
Mr. Butterfly: Asmik Grigorian
Priest: Romanas Kudryashovas
Secretary: Lee Hickenbottom
Butterfly’s mother: Eryl Royle
Yakushide: Andrew O’Connor
Aunt: Amy Catt
Bonzo: Jeremy White
Dolores: Claudia Fleming
Lord Yamadori: Joseph Jeongmin Ahn
Kate Pinkerton: Vena Acama-Machia
Works performed on March 26, 2024
Running time: 3 hours 18 minutes
6/7 (Friday) – 6/13 (Thursday) TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi and other locations for one week only!
■Official website: http://tohotowa.co.jp/roh/
■Distribution: Toho Towa
[Video 2: https://prtimes.jp/api/movieim.php?url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOZoBs_gBgU] (C)2024 ROH ph. by Marc Brenner
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000073.000016700.html