Madame Butterfly – Russian State Opera of Komi

Butterfly’s challenge is to radiate innocent allure in Act I yet have enough guts for all the delusion, anger and passion of Acts II & III. Elena Aiusheeva’s enchanting voice has more katana steel than cherry blossom fragility. Similarly for Pinkerton, Viachaslau Lesik’s voice favoured ardour and remorse over the irresistible charm and tenderness required at the start. Their love duet was full-blooded and perhaps too adult, almost battling with the strong orchestra, under Azat Maksutov. This was exciting stuff and effectively confounded the more prudent Sharpless and Suzuki, very well played and sung by Andrei Kovalev and Galina Malikova.

White Rock Theatre, Hastings, 3 February 2016

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