Butterfly impaled
by witchz on 1/30/12Symphony Hall - PhoenixRating: 4 out of 5Your white linen hankie will never be the same after catching the bucketsful of tears generated during "Un bel di vedremo." Butterfly sets the Gold Standard for tear jerkers and was beautifully performed and staged. We all know the story, and what happens, and how it all ends. But...we still perch on the edge of our seat waiting breathlessly and hoping, no, praying that Cio-Cio-San will live happily ever after. And why not? Maybe this is Revision 6. Jill Gardner as Butterfly was unable to reach the high notes without squeaking but she's young and will hopefully improve with age (as supposedly does fine wine). Her acting was verrrrry good. The Sat. matinee was a first so we attendees were ground breakers. The pre-performance lecture was edifying and the after stage-side gathering hosted by the really HOT General Director (he wears it well) was fun. Some great questions from the audience and I liked the old lady who asked the Bonze about how he got into the opera part of the music business and if he regretted not going the Mick Jagger/Stones route. I was front row, center: Up close and personal is a good description. Actually, it was almost participatory...