WITH its ‘Madama Butterfly’ hailed as “genuinely exquisite” and for “extraordinary performances”, Ellen Kent’s opera tour arrives at University Concert Hall on Monday April 2.
The internationally acclaimed Ukrainian National Opera of Kharkiv, augmented by soloists from across the world, has sung to rave reviews throughout its autumn 2011 tour of Britain. This acclaimed company now returns to Limerick with this all time favourite Puccini.
After a two-year break to concentrate on other projects, Ellen Kent’s comeback productions have packed out theatres across Ireland and the UK, including a sold-out UCH here for ‘La Traviata’ last November.
Her ‘Madama Butterfly’ took 18 months to bring to the stage, with Russian designer Nadezhda Shvets praised for gorgeous sets and the £25,000 (str.) silk gowns. These include antique wedding kimonos from Japan that are borrowed from Kent herself.
Sung in Italian with English subtitles, Puccini’s opera is the true story of a beautiful Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant. For her, the consequences go beyond heartbreak.
International sopranos Maria Tsonina and Elena Dee take the leading role of Cio Cio San alternatively, with Andriy Perfilov as Pinkerton, her suitor. They are joined by a 70-strong company that features tenor Ruslan Zinevych, who has sung with Pavarotti and performed Kent’s operas at the Royal Albert Hall.
Conductor Gheorghe Stanciu, who is artistic director of the Constanta Opera in Romania, has joined to bring a new focus to the music. The orchestra is that of the Kharkiv Theatre.
Presented by Derek Block Concert Promotions, one of the biggest international promoters in the entertainment industry, ‘Madama Butterfly’ will be at UCH for Monday April 2 only, 8pm.
