Madam Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall

On Tuesday night I went to the Royal Albert Hall to see Madam Butterfly and I must say it was an absolute treat!

I've only been to one other opera before and I was about 10 years old. It was a huge production of AIDA at Earl's Court (of all places). I remember being amazed at the enormous set but I didn't understand much of what was happening at all. Thankfully I had my mum next to me quietly whispering a description as events unfolded.

Compared to Earl's Court I can safely say that the Royal Albert Hall is a far better venue for an opera! The production was "in the round" so the stage was in the middle of the Hall and the orchestra was where the "stage" is usually located. I was lucky enough to get great seats, just one row back from the edge of the set, and got a great sense of being so close to the action. The set was absolutely stunning, with Madam Butterfly's house at the centre surrounded by water/sand garden around it. It was beautifully lit, especially during the scenes set at night when the lanterns were glowing and candles floated in the pools of water.

There were two scenes which have really stuck in my mind. The first being Madam Butterfly's entrance, when she first arrives near the beginning of act one with a large entourage of lantern bearers. They descend down all the stairs around the Hall which was beautiful to behold, especially because I was sat next to the aisle and so some passed by right next to me!

The second scene that I was particularly struck by was when Butterfly waits up all night for Pinkerton. It was a very long part of the act where nothing happens apart from the music playing. I could feel everyone getting quite uncomfortable and mildly impatient, and so was I until I realised that was exactly the effect they were going for. I liked that!

Not being a frequent opera-goer I wasn't sure how easily I would follow what was happening so I made sure I had the programme open at the synopsis to keep me informed! Although the singing was powerful and very beautiful I felt that during the first act it was quite difficult to understand and follow. However, acts two and three were much easier to understand. While I am "criticising" I might as well mention I was little disappointed that, apart from Madam Butterfly and a few non-speaking extras, there weren't any Japanese actors in a cast of about 40. Perhaps it's an Equity thing but there were some very tall and and entirely unconvincing looking "Japanese" people on stage and it spoilt the illusion for me a little.

On a different note there was the very odd distraction of TVs above each exit around the Hall (facing inwards so you had at least three in your field of vision) which showed the conductor working his magic throughout. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was of course outstanding and I understand that the conductor is integral to the opera but isn't he someone who should rather be heard and NOT seen? I can hear operaphiles gasping in shock at such a suggestion, not that they'll be reading this!

Those last "bad" points however did not make for a bad night. The good far outweighed them and I had a great time. Like I've said I am not the kind of person to go to operas with any kind of frequency but to see Madam Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall was very special for me indeed. If you can then I highly recommend you do the same.