MADAMA BUTTERFLY ENCORE
WSO to stage opera Friday, Sunday
Windsor Symphony Orchestra this weekend will stage one of the world’s most popular operas — the concert version of Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
“This is one of the greatest and grandest of operas,” said maestro Robert Franz, the symphony’s music director. “It’s one of the top 5 of all time. It’s that way for a few reasons. It’s timeless, includes love and betrayal and the heroine at the end dies — often typical in an opera world.
“Puccini also writes achingly beautiful melodies that really connect in an emotional way. He is a master at taking you through a story and building suspense. Even though you know the ending, you are on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next.”
The opera, which premièred in 1904 at Milan’s La Scala, tells the tragic story of Cio-cio San, a geisha, who falls in love with B.F. Pinkerton, a U.S. naval officer, while he is stationed in Japan.
The symphony held open auditions over a year ago that attracted 90 singers from all over Canada, Franz said.
“Six soloists (performing in Madama Butterfly) came from those auditions and they are extraordinary singers and talents,” he said.
The concert will feature an all-canadian cast, including soprano Teiya Kasahara and director Erin Armstrong, along with rising stars, tenor Taras Chmil and baritone Jason Howard.
To alleviate any concerns about the performance of songs in Italian, there will be English subtitles on slides provided in real-time, Franz said.
“The entire story is translated in front of you, so there is no problem with language if you don’t speak Italian,” he said. “Be prepared for really open emotions and characters.”
Franz said it will be the local symphony ’s fourth performance of a “grand opera” since he arrived in 2013. Others include Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, Bizet’s Carmen and Puccini’s La Boheme.
Along with the soloists, the concert will include 60 members from the University of Windsor Chamber Choir and University Singers.
Last time Franz was involved with performing Madama Butterfly was roughly a decade ago when he was music director in Mansfield, Ohio.
“Every time I conduct Madama Butterfly it feels like a real gift,” he said. “To hear it live and seeing it performed is beyond belief.
“It’s like an old friend. You open up the pages and remember why you love it so much.”
The initial Madama Butterfly concert will take place at the Capitol Theatre on Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-concert talk taking place at 6:30 p.m.
It will be staged again on Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m. with a pre-concert talk at 1:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.windsorsymphony.com, in person at 121 University Ave. W., or over the phone at (519) 973-1238, ext. 2.