Utah Opera shows strength with "Madame Butterfly"

"MADAME BUTTERFLY," UTAH OPERA, Capitol Theatre, Saturday, additional performances through Oct. 26, 355-2787 or www.arttix.org

Utah Opera opened its new season Saturday with Giacomo Puccini's venerable tear jerker "Madame Butterfly."

It boasts a strong cast, of which the two leads — Scott Piper as Pinkerton and Barbara Shirvis as Madame Butterfly — were particularly stunning. This production is definitely worth seeing.

But no matter who plays Pinkerton, or how he tries to sweeten him, the character never fails to come across as callous for not taking his Japanese marriage vows to Butterfly seriously and leaving her, only to return to Japan three years later with his new American wife.

For her part, Butterfly is deeply in love with Pinkerton and only too eager to please him — going so far as to renounce her culture and religion and adopting Christianity.

But Pinkerton sees his 15-year-old bride as a "toy" — and there lies the tragedy of the story. And nothing can change that, not even Pinkerton's heartfelt remorse at the end of the opera. His actions destroy Butterfly, who sees suicide as the only honorable way out.

Piper and Shirvis have real chemistry together. Their Act I love duet was radiant, capturing the passion and intensity of their feelings. They have lustrous voices that are wonderfully lyrical and richly expressive.

Shirvis is a natural for Butterfly. In Act I, when she first appears on stage, Shirvis exudes a delicious innocence that makes it easy to understand how Pinkerton was captivated by the young geisha.

One of the glorious moments at Saturday's performance was Shirvis singing the opera's most famous aria, "Un bel di," which she sang with radiant expressiveness and sincerity.

The rest of the cast was equally notable. Andrew Oakden as Sharpless was in fine form, bringing depth to his role as the rather spineless yet compassionate American consul.

Kirsten Gunlogson as Suzuki was impressive. She brought dignity to her character, and her pragmatism perfectly balanced Butterfly's youthful optimism.

The singers in the secondary roles were also commendable although as the Bonze, Tyler Oliphant had some problems with the net covering his hair to make him appear bald. It didn't fit well and looked as if he had hurriedly stuck it on his head as he heard his cue to come onstage.

The Utah Opera Chorus, while only a minor player in "Madame Butterfly," sang its part wonderfully, in particular the "Humming Chorus."

Stealing the show, however, was Teague Salazar as Butterfly's son Trouble. The youngster was absolutely adorable in his role.

The members of the Utah Symphony in the pit played well under conductor Joseph Mechavich's direction, and the staging was capably handled by Garnettt Bruce.

E-MAIL: ereichel@desnews.com