The Critics on UAO's "Madama Butterfly"

Union Avenue Opera's production of Madama Butterfly was met with critical acclaim over the weekend. Here's a sample of what Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX, Mark Bretz of Ladue News and John Huxhold of the Post-Dispatch had to say:

Chuck Lavazzi:

"Soprano Ann Wazelle’s Butterfly has just a bit more maturity and backbone than one usually sees in the role, which gives her character a bit more depth and Butterfly’s suicide an interesting element of defiance...[Mathew Edwardsen's] journey from smug (and slightly racist) arrogance to guilt and remorse is entirely believable...his voice is clear and seamless throughout its range...Baritone Robert Garner is a warm Sharpless, whose warnings about Pinkerton’s immorality fall on deaf ears, and alto Debra Hillabrand is a sympathetic Suzuki...Tenor Marc Schapman brings the role of the ethically flexible marriage broker Goro to credible comic life and bass David Dillard has a small but potent cameo as The Bonze, who excoriates Butterfly for converting to Christianity...Director Jon Truitt creates compelling stage pictures and has, thankfully, not given in to the all too common temptation among opera directors these days to impose an idiosyncratic concept on the piece...Teresa Doggett’s costumes are strikingly beautiful, as is Patrick Huber’s set with its sliding paper screens and Japanese watercolor-style backdrop."

Mark Bretz:

"One of the world’s most enduring operas returns to Union Avenue Opera for the first time in a decade in a polished presentation that features several outstanding voices under Jon Truitt’s diligent direction...Ann Hoyt Wazelle’s soaring soprano captures the notes as well as the anguish of the title character’s famous arias...Mathew Edwardsen displays a strong tenor and convincing acting in the role of the hedonistic Pinkerton...Baritone Robert Garner is a vibrant presence as the troubled counsul Sharpless...Debra Hillabrand shines as the dutiful servant Suzuki, while Marc Shapman brings an appropriately sleazy demeanor to the opportunistic Goro...[T]he entire cast looked perfect for the place and the era thanks to Teresa Doggett’s well-thought costume design. That attire blended smoothly with a clever set conceived by Patrick Huber." 

"Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s most beloved operas, and devotees of its story and score doubtless will be pleased with Union Avenue Opera’s dutiful representation."

John Huxhold:

"Union Avenue Opera perfectly captured the spirit of this tragic tale...Stage director Jon Truitt had everyone in the cast moving purposely — there was no awkward waiting around for an aria to begin. Nice touches were evident throughout...Of course the focus of the opera is on Cio-Cio-San, and soprano Ann Hoyt Wazelle brought a balance of innocence and resolve to the part...[T]enor Matthew Edwardsen was excellent as the insensitive Pinkerton...Scott Schoonover and his orchestra exactly tracked every breath and phrase shaped by the singers...The chorus and the minor characters matched the quality of the rest of the production." 

"There have been bigger, splashier, more spectacular productions of this opera, but in its own, tender, diminutive way, UAO’s version can stand alongside the best of them."

Union Avenue Opera's Madama Butterfly continues its run this weekend July 19 & 20 @ 8pm. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd, St. Louis. Production sung in Italian with Projected English Supertitles. Tickets and other information: visit unionavenueopera.org.