Juan’s ‘new’ Puccini opera, Butterfly, a superb actress
Despite the music score remaining unchanged, this reviewer felt it was a “new” Madame Butterfly as conceptualized and directed by the widely acclaimed Anton Juan. Sets, lighting, action — all these and more drastically veered away from the traditional.
The rear bridge spanning the entire stage was a brilliant idea, rendering movement more varied and visceral. In Act II, as the UP Manila Chorale intoned, from the bridge, an exquisite melody, characters in front of the stage were waving black capes decorated with white flowers, their sight deepening the gloom. Film clips injected searing realism into a chapter of Phl history vis-à-vis the Japanese Occupation. This adding another dimension or perspective to the Japanese inspired opera.
The wedding night scene eloquently articulated the stark contrast between East and West cultures, the shy, coy, demure Japanese bride and the aggressive, bold, passionate American bridegroom. (His eagerness to undress — taking off coat and shirt — was a masterful directorial touch).
Not all of Juan’s flights of fancy appealed to my aesthetic sense although they may have been admired by others. Curtains opened to a stage cluttered by too many props — new, imaginative and contemporary as they were. Succeeding scenes, likewise, had the stage cramped and crowded, hampering movement.
Entrances and exits should be unobtrusive. In this regard, white pieces of canvas, manipulated by persons behind them, served as doors. Inevitably, as entrances and exits occurred, the audience waited for the doors to open and close, with its attention briefly distracted. The arrestingly long flight of stairs led to an odd thought: a mis-step could send the principals tumbling down. But rehearsals must have been so rigid, they sang and emoted without even looking at the perilous stairs — while leaving this reviewer holding her breath!
The plot of Madame Butterfly is too familiar to bear repetition. In Juan’s version, Cio-Cio San climbs the stairs, and on reaching the top, plunges a knife into her throat, dying with arms outstretched. What a devastating, gripping climax! However, it deviated from the original story, herewith I quote from the Victor Book of Operas: “Pinkerton, after Cio-Cio San dies, is heard calling her name. A moment later, he rushes into the room, kneels beside Butterfly, sobbing with grief and shame.”
Just to what extent can a story be justifiably changed? Juan’s ending, in any case, was as enthrallingly tragic.
The excellent cast, in varying degrees, reflected Puccini’s genius through Juan’s closely coordinated direction. Singaporean Lim Yau, conducting the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, meticulously followed the singers’ tempo, volume and expression. As CioCio San, Mako Nishimoto, a real-life Japanese portraying the Japanese heroine, was a superb, captivating actress. Her timber was not very rounded or pleasant but her incredibly long sustained top notes proved her considerable technical skill. The audience’s favorite, she garnered lusty applause after each intense aria. Her impassioned Un bel di (One fine day) conveyed stirring poignancy.
Mexican tenor Dante Alcala as Lt. Pinkerton was vocally and dramatically impressive. And assertive. ( His good looks were a definite asset, besides!) Andrew Fernando, international baritone, projected his glorious “booming” voice as he portrayed the American consul Sharpless with emotional depth. Seasoned singer-actress Camille Lopez Molina, CioCio San’s companion, performed with ultimate assurance. The Flowers Duet, which she sang with Nishimoto, was utter delight, her ringing voice firm and powerful. Musical director was Dr. Francisco F. Feliciano.
In brief, secondary roles, Juan Gaerlan, the marriage broker Goro; bass Jun Jaranilla, the Imperial Commissioner; Gilbert Chua, fuming, dissenting uncle; baritone Nonon Baang, suitor of Butterfly; Kay BalajadiaLiggay, her mother, and not the least, Fame Flores as Mrs. Pinkerton laudably contributed to the opera’s over-all success.
Not to be overlooked, six- year- old George Windsmith as “Trouble,” Butterfly’s son, never missed a cue as he hugged his mother, joyfully scattered spring blossoms, kicked his legs playfully, etc. What a marvelously talented child!
The curtains repeatedly rose to prolonged, loud clamor. Juan’s unique, original presentation at the CCP
The GPH believes that the MILF need not formally ink a peace pact before participating in an election. Poll victory can help the Moro group expand autonomy by non-violent means.
the cleanup of the election system consequently to improve governance. The high cost of ballot rigging, he said, tempts local officials to recoup their spending by stealing from the government.
The government is hoping that Moro separatists will participate in any form in next year’s ARMM election. Such involvement can enable the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to advance its causes through peaceful means. These aims include: generating revenues, strengthening Shari’ah courts, and replacing the ARMM itself with a new autonomous entity with expanded powers.
“The election matters a lot to the Government of the Philippines (GPH), we hope it does to them (MILF),” Dean Marvic Leonen told newsmen recently. Leonen heads the GPH panel in peace negotiations with the Moro rebels.
Making Muslim autonomy work is a priority of the Aquino administration, Leonen said. Presently autonomy operates through the ARMM. But the GPH and MILF agreed in their “Decision Points on Principles” last April 24, 2012, on the need for an improved political entity. It would entail passage by Congress of a new autonomous region law, additional funding, and direct participation by MILF members.
MILF participation would have to deal with the issue of arms. All Philippine elections are marked by total ban on carrying firearms, even by off-duty policemen. MILF forces during past ceasefires confined themselves to camps, to allow free campaigning. Another concern would be security guarantees for MILF participants. theater will be long remembered. Every seat was taken, thanks to Musicartes headed by Jay ValenciaGlorioso, president, and Josie Tan, chairwoman.
The printed program had messages from CCP president Raul Sunico and v-p Chris Millado; Ambassador Luca Fornari, Puccini being Italian; Japan Foundation director Shuji Takatori, Cio-cio San being Japanese; Ambassador Javier Calvillo Unna, Pinkerton being Mexican. confirmation by the Assembly.
Coinciding with the ARMM election is the balloting in the provinces under its scope: Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi. This is for governor, vice governor, provincial board members, city and municipal mayors, vice mayors, and councilors.
There are also eight seats in the national House of Representatives.
The MILF must hurdle time constraints with the GPH in relation to electoral participation. Either the MILF joins in any form next year, or wait till the next election in 2016, perhaps under the revamped entity. If it opts for 2013, it must file certificates of candidacy from October 1 to 5, 2012, under tight Comelec deadlines to print automated ballots.
MILF leaders reportedly are seeking advice on whether to join, and to what extent, whether only in the ARMM or the local and congressional positions as well. National political parties are said to be mulling formal or loose alliances, since the MILF has softened its stand from secession to autonomy.
The ARMM election was previously set for this September. Congress postponed it to May 2013, synchronized with the congressional election and local voting.
More than 120,000 people have died since the Moro secession erupted in 1970. The government signed a peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996, and began separate talks with the MILF soon afterwards. Those talks have collapsed and resumed several times in the past 14 years. The present ceasefire is holding, Leonen said, despite the MILF ambush killing of 19 Army troopers in Al-Barka, Basilan, last year. Since then, he said, there have been ten ceasefire violations, all swiftly prevented from escalating.
Leonen’s signing of the “Decision Points” with MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal in April was followed by the brief resumption of talks on May 28. Since then, the GPH has been waiting for the MILF to decide whether to push its agenda through electoral involvement. Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 810 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).
E-mail: jariusbondoc@gmail.com