Madame Butterfly review: Welsh National Opera production at Birmingham Hippodrome is a spectacular surprise

Birmingham Hippodrome has gifted the public with a generous assortment of performances since the restriction on theatres opened.

On October 20 2021, the renowned classic, Madame Butterfly stole the stage through a modern format.

The first act starts off powerfully, unveiling Pinkerton’s (played by Leonardo Caimi) callous plan in the pursuit of desire.

The set design, by Isabella Bywater, reflects the cold clinical nature of his diabolical deceit, but suddenly softens at the prospect of love.

Madame Butterfly (played by Alexia Voulgaridou) injects innocence and naivety into the opera, accentuating her ability to shift the dynamic.

Combined, the actors radiate a powerful chemistry, contrasting harshly against each other, and so we’re left in awe. Amazed at the monstrous form of lust, and at how deeply infatuation twists the innocent into insanity.

Act two and three lingers like Butterfly’s unreciprocated love, heart wrenching as we witness the marital bliss bubble pop, leaving pins in Butterfly’s wings.

She longs for the deserter Pinkerton, her mood fluctuates like the fog over the sea she’s so desperately scanning.

Voulgaridou’s performance is mesmerising, and we see her vocals amp to produce signature aria with gusto and grace.

Tears brim as we watch yet another Madame falter to the sins of love and another woman fall victim to a brute promising nothing but pipe dreams.

The cathartic crescendo stirs emotions of surprise as we side with Butterfly.

We understand her damned devotion for Pinkerton, but through the same lens we loathe the knowledge that he will triumph yet our precious Butterfly is left scattered.

Butterfly’s empowering emotions undercut the unchanging scenery yet the subtle changes made throughout the acts amplify her changing American lifestyle. The costumes, by Isabella Bywater, repeatedly reinforce Butterfly’s isolation and, sadly inevitable, demise.

The Welsh Opera’s contemporary take on a much beloved constantly renovated classic is always worthy of a watch and should be caught as it tours across the UK.

4 out of 5 stars.

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