Auckland Philharmonia’s most recent operatic performance was Madam Butterfly a three-act piece composed by Giacomo Puccini and set in the city of Nagasaki in the early 1900s. The story centres around Cio-Cio-San, aka Butterfly, a young geisha who enters into a marriage with an American naval officer called B.F. Pinkerton.
He views the relationship as a convenient and temporary liaison because under the Japanese laws of the time he can end the union when his posting in Nagasaki finishes. For Butterfly, however, this is a real marriage and she converts to Christianity in order to give herself fully to Pinkerton.
During the wedding ceremony Butterfly’s uncle and family disown her for abandoning her religion and then Pinkerton leaves but promises to return. Her devoted servant Suzuki and Sharpless, an American consul, try to comfort her and get her to remarry but Butterfly, having now given birth to Pinkerton’s son, remains faithful and waits for three years until her loved one finally returns to Japan.
Butterfly’s delight at his return soon turns to devastation when Pinkerton introduces his American wife to her and asks her to give them custody of her child. Having lost all hope, Butterfly hands over the child and kills herself according to the samurai code of honour.
Yes, this is a very dramatic opera that swings from the heady delights of romance to the depths of despair and loneliness.
The cause of all this is quite simple – Pinkerton is an arrogant man full of hubris who wants a beautiful companion without a commitment. It’s almost as though he sees it all as a big joke. Being told of Butterfly’s genuine affection for him and her earnest belief that the marriage is real seems immaterial to him and when the time comes to leave Pinkerton abandons her.
When he finally does return with his wife in tow, he wants the child but can’t actually bring himself to face Butterfly. What a man!
He does redeem himself a little at the end by showing some belated remorse but of course it’s way too late.
As Pinkerton cries out her name, Butterfly has said farewell to her son, and, behind a screen in silhouette, she takes her own life. This is a heartrending climax.
It’s a very tragic story, but it is also very beautiful and the music is sumptuous. Of course it is a Puccini score so it would be wouldn’t it?
The Auckland Philharmonia under the expert baton of Giordano Bellincampi delivered yet another superb evening of music. The score is full of contrasts – highly dramatic, sometimes shocking climaxes set against tender romantic arias moments of quiet reflection. All of this, as expected, performed impeccably.
The singing was also excellent. The Freemasons Foundation NZ Opera Chorus were wonderful and the core cast were equally magnificent. I have to make special mention of Erika Grimaldi as Butterfly. This was the first time I have attended a live performance of Madam Butterfly and Grimaldi was exquisite. Her voice was sublime and her physical embodiment of the leading lady and her poise was flawless.
Auckland Philharmonia’s Madam Butterfly was a triumph.
Picture credit – Sav Schulman
MADAM BUTTERFLY
25 July 2025
Auckland Town Hall
Conductor:
Giordano Bellincampi
Main Cast:
Cio-Cio-San – Erika Grimaldi
Lt B.F. Pinkerton – Gaston Rivero
Sharpless – Richard Šveda
Suzuki – Elisabeth Jansson
Goro – Michael Petruccelli
The Bonze – Pelham Andrews
Kate Pinkerton – Katie Trigg
Prince Yamadori & Commissioner – Robert Tucker
