20 July 2012

Madam Butterfly

When you have a big lecture theatre, it is a waste to only use it for teaching. Why not have people give lectures in the evening hours, on topics such as, for instance, American films? Or stage an entire opera production? Plymouth University evidently thinks along that line, and that's why I ended up in that lecture theatre, on my heels (again!), to watch a naive Japanese girl meet her doom. Nothing like bottomless despair! Hugh came in with modest expectations; he had seen the same opera in the Sydney Opera House, and that doesn't compare, of course. But we were quite happy with what we got! It was only a modestly sized orchestra, but it did the job, and the singers we fine too. Cio-Cio-San was played by a lady called Mariya Krywaniuk, and she sang excellently. I also had a soft spot for the baritone of the American consul. And we both regretted they sang in English, but for £25 per ticket you can't complain. And as we had a great night, we might want to try a more glamorous production in the purpose-built theatre as well, one day!

We were not allowed to take pictures during the performance, so I'll have to make do with the original poster

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