Madama Butterfly Review: Star Soprano Celine Byrne as Cio-Cio-San
In the Irish National Opera’s production of Puccini’s 1904 Madama Butterfly, Celine Byrne portrays Cio-Cio-San as a confident and progressive character, contrasting with the usual depiction of naivety and vulnerability.
Set Design and Visual Impact
The brief, dynamic overture transitions into a casual conversation about traditional Japanese homes and their sliding partitions. Designer Kat Heath expands this minor detail into a dominant feature on stage: enormous, movable panels that shape the entire opera’s environment.
- The panels are strikingly large and fit the spacious Bord Gáis Energy Theatre stage.
- They can move laterally and horizontally, creating both intimate and expansive spaces.
- Neutral in color, they adapt to changes in mood and time through Jake Wiltshire’s lighting.
The panels are neither distracting nor static; they enable surprising reveals and conceal characters effectively. At times, they mimic camera lens effects—zooming in and out—which adds a cinematic quality throughout the performance.
The director Daisy Evans "uses this effect for emotional immediacy."
Production Highlights
This cinematic touch enhances the emotional impact, making the production feel intimate and engaging, while maintaining a strong visual narrative through the set's innovative design.
Author's summary: Celine Byrne's assured portrayal in Madama Butterfly, combined with Kat Heath’s dynamic set and cinematic direction, delivers a fresh and emotionally compelling interpretation.