Opera Scotland

Madam Butterfly 1991Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Madama Butterfly

A third, and very long, run of Nuria Espert's unusual take on this classic seemed to work very effectively. Gibson remained a natural Puccinian, everything beautifully phrased and natural sounding, but with the dramatic moments packing a punch and the ending quite overwhelming. Both Butterflies were subtle singing actors and both Howards provided excellent support. The tenors were perhaps the only weakness, with no great acting ability on display, except when Seppo Ruohonen returned to a production with which he was entirely familiar. Greer Grimsley, revisiting the company for larger roles, and a Wotan in the making, was superbly effective in the Bonze's few phrases.

 

Scottish Opera's Season - 1991/92

At this period, Scottish Opera generally mounted nine main-stage operas each season, in groups of three. If funds allowed, there would be a small-scale production as well. For the 1991/92 season, the piano-accompanied tour, with 33 performances through the autumn, was of Maria Stuarda. The main stage schedule began at the Edinburgh Festival with a new production of La Clemenza di Tito. There were two more new stagings - Die Walküre and Don Giovanni. The six revivals were Madam ButterflyCarmenLa traviataBilly BuddThe Marriage of Figaro and Aïda.

Performance Cast

Lieutenant F B Pinkerton U S Navy

John David de Haan (Sep 13, 18, 21, 28)

Jonathan Welch (Exc Sep 13, 18, 21, 28; Dec 18, 20)

Seppo Ruohonen (Dec 18, 20)

Goro marriage broker

Paul McCann

Suzuki Cio-Cio-San's servant

Yvonne Howard

Sharpless U S Consul in Nagasaki

Jason Howard

Cio-Cio-San known as Madam Butterfly

Maria Prosperi (Exc Sep 28)

Anne Williams-King (Sep 28)

Imperial Commissioner

Paul Anwyl

Official Registrar

Malcolm Aitken

Bonze a priest, Cio-Cio-San's uncle

Greer Grimsley

Prince Yamadori

Jonathan Hawkins

Kate Pinkerton

Jeannette Wilson

Performance DatesMadam Butterfly 1991

Map List

Theatre Royal, Glasgow | Glasgow

13 Sep, 19.15 18 Sep, 19.15 21 Sep, 14.15 28 Sep, 19.15 31 Oct, 19.15 6 Nov, 19.15 18 Dec, 19.15 20 Dec, 19.15

Grand Opera House, Belfast | Belfast

12 Nov, 19.30 16 Nov, 19.30

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen | Aberdeen

20 Nov, 19.15 23 Nov, 19.15

Hippodrome, Birmingham | Birmingham

26 Nov, 19.15

Theatre Royal, Newcastle | Newcastle-upon-Tyne

3 Dec, 19.15

Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh | Edinburgh

11 Dec, 19.15 13 Dec, 19.15

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