Madama Butterfly

[Mozart]

After trying twice to hear La Boheme some years ago, I completely added Puccini to my hate list. But my friend didn't shut up about MB for awhile and showed me the duet in the end of act 1 and...besides the whining tenor I liked. As I explored it more and more I even didn't mind it. It reminded me of the duet from Otello. I knew the aria Un bel di before but after reading a synopsis I assumed it was the ending, it always sounded sad to me, overly dramatic. But connecting it with words is a must un po per non MORIR AL PRIMO INCONTROOOO. I found most of the music after that kind of just forced. The little trio when Pinkerton ends with the aria was nice but the actual plot more than music was what moved me in the end. I'll listen a few more times.

[bricon]

but the actual plot more than music was what moved me in the end. I'll listen a few more times.

If the plot "moved" you more than the music you might want to check out Belasco's play, which was the source for Puccini's opera.

The play can be downloaded here.


I usually don't recommend that someone new to an opera study the source material, but in this case ..........