Christine Steyer, as Cio-Cio-San, a geisha.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo
Madama Butterfly at Oak Park's Village Players presented another treat for the arts, another musical gem from the multitalented Bellissima Production's company. Opening
night had a sold out house. Each aria was roundly applauded,
and the noted stellar aria's acclaimed with a nearly deafening applause, and with just cause. The beauty of "Un bel dì vedremo" (One fine day we shall see) sung by Christine Steyer, as Butterfly is worth the price of a ticket by itself. "Un bel dì vedremo" is amoung the best loved arias ever written and sung by the multifaceted Steyer, whose vocal range, sound, and
dexterity make her a star.
Christine Steyer as Cio-Cio-San, and Franco Martorana,
performing the role of Lt. Pinkerton, are a singing duo made
in heaven. Each has the power and beauty of tone in their
voice to sooth the heart and awaken the spirit.
The remainder of the cast complements the title roles with
charm and talent. Paul Geiger, in the role of Sharpless also
performs the role of the narrator with his beautifully rich
and deep voice commanding the listeners ear and attention.
One's attention is also drawn to the well chosen words describing each scene and progression of the drama. The
opera has been set to be performed in two acts, as the original had been done in Milan at La Scala on February 17, 1904.
The narration also takes the part of some other arias omitted
for time constraints, and yet the opera still remains about two
hours and with all the most beautiful elements intact.
Dominique Frigo, as Suzuki, is from Oak Park like Christine
Steyer and has a nice mezzo-soprano voice adding drama and
passion to the opera. Danial Vines, an accomplished tenor, teacher and composer is a treat in his role as Goro, the
Japanese marriage broker.
Laurie McEathron plays Kate, the American wife and Bekira
Ravinowitz debuts in opera as the small child known as "Trouble" - both are beautiful.
Carl Ratner, the talented director of the production even had
a coach help with the proper mannerism of Japanese people in that time period with regards to walk, expression, and attitude.
The set was equal or better to many on the largest venues of
Grand Opera, and the intimate atmosphere even highlights it
that much more. The make up and costumes were wonderful
and the music by Anatoliy Torchinskiy on piano and Marcia LaBella on harp were lovely.
Grand Opera at the price of a local play.
Get your tickets now and bring a friend.......
Franco Martorana, as Lt. Pinkerton and Christine Steyer, as
Cio-Cio-San in Bellissima Opera Production's Madama Butterfly.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos
The Village Players Theater of Oak Park presents
Bellissima Opera Productions’
Madama Butterfly
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Sung in Italian with English Narration and Translation
Friday June 8th, 8:00, Sunday June 10th, 3:00
Saturday June 16th 8:00, Friday June 22nd 8:00, Sunday June 24th 3:00
Cio-Cio-San,
a geisha.....Christine Steyer
Lt. Pinkerton, an American sailor.....Franco Martorana
Sharpless, an American Consul.....Paul Geiger
Suzuki, a Japanese servant.....Dominique Frigo
Goro, a Japanese marriage broker.....Daniel Vines
Piano.....Anatoliy Torchinskiy
Harp.....Marcia LaBella
Director.....Carl Ratner
Lt. Pinkerton, an American sailor.....Franco Martorana
Sharpless, an American Consul.....Paul Geiger
Suzuki, a Japanese servant.....Dominique Frigo
Goro, a Japanese marriage broker.....Daniel Vines
Piano.....Anatoliy Torchinskiy
Harp.....Marcia LaBella
Director.....Carl Ratner
http://www.village-players.org/opera.htm
For information on purchasing tickets (including group discounts),
please click on the link above or call 866-764-1010.
For further information about the cast, production
and story of Madama Butterfly, please read below.
Madama Butterfly will be performed through out June at The Village Players Theater, 1010 W. Madison, Oak Park, IL. This new production stars soprano Christine Steyer in the title role as Cio-Cio-San, Franco Martorana, Dominique Frigo, Paul Geiger and Daniel Vines. Their combined singing credits include roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Des Moines Opera, San Francisco Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Theater of Humbach, Germany and Chicago Opera Theater, Chamber Opera Chicago. Steyer, Martorana and Geiger, the founders of Bellissima
Opera, starred in last season’s highly acclaimed La Traviata at VPT. Chicago favorite Carl Ratner will direct this production.
Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s masterpiece, tells the story of a 15-year-old girl in 1900 Nagasaki who is sold into a “marriage” to an American Navy Lieutenant. Tragically, Cio-Cio-San believes the marriage to be entirely valid and sacred. She converts from Shinto to Christianity to be a “proper” American wife knowing that her entire Japanese family will reject her. Soon Pinkerton leaves and she overlooks the harbor daily for his ship to return. Although three years have passed and the money he gave her has all but run out, Butterfly continually rejects all others suitors. Her faith in Pinkerton is unrelenting. His ship finally returns. She plans to surprise him with the son she had with him, but instead of Pinkerton arriving at the house, it is the American Consul and Pinkerton’s new American wife that come to convince her it best for the child’s future to let them raise him in America. No longer able to bear the heartbreak, Butterfly commits hara-kiri to keep her honor.
Oak Park resident Christine Steyer will be singing the role of the Japanese geisha known as Madama Butterfly. Steyer has been turning heads of late, winning the top prize at the 2006 National Opera Association Competition, the Founders’ Award at the IX Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition. She was recently featured in Classical Singer Magazine
and has been praised for her warm rich voice, sensitive acting and musicianship. Career highlights include roles with Lyric Opera of Chicago in Street Scene, Sweeney Todd, Cunning Little Vixen and Manon Lescaut as well as Carmen with Tulsa Opera. While in college, Steyer spent a year in Japan studying Asian art, and she designed the set and costumes for this production.
The role of Lt. Pinkerton, the American sailor that Cio-Cio-San tragically marries, will be sung by tenor Franco Martorana. He has recently performed Lt. Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Alfredo in La Traviata and Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana in Hambach, Germany. Mr. Martorana has made a specialty of the songs of Francesco Paulo Tosti. In July of 2003, he studied in Poggio Renatico with Ubaldo Gardini, the renowned opera coach, who said that his interpretation of these songs was on a level with that of Bergonzi and Di Stefano. Mr. Martorana is also a member of the acclaimed “The Other Three Tenors”.
Oak Park resident baritone Paul Geiger helped to created this unique production. In addition to singing the role of the American Consul Sharpless, Mr. Geiger also will tell the story of Puccini’s tragic heroine from his character’s point of view in a series of narrations interwoven into the opera. He has constructed these narrations from both the novella and the play entitled “Madame Butterfly”- as well as numerous references to the historical situation in Japan in the early 1900’s. Mr. Geiger has had a strong regional career over the last 30 years. Director Dr. Robert Larson said, “He has the uncanny ability to completely inhabit any character he plays”.
Oak Park resident Dominique Frigo, mezzo-soprano, will play the role of Cio-Cio-San’s faithful servant Suzuki. Frigo has preformed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Opera Illinois and Intimate Opera and is a mother of five. Tenor Daniel Vines will be singing the role of the greedy Japanese marriage broker Goro. The non-singing roles of Trouble, the child of this ill-fated marriage and Kate, Pinkerton’s American wife, will be performed by VPT’s Bekira Rabinowitz and Laurie McEathron respectively. Director Carl Ratner was artistic director at both Chicago Opera Theater and Chicago Chamber Opera and was assistant director at major opera houses throughout the world. Anatoliy Torchinskiy, one of Chicago’s most sought after pianists and Marcia LaBella, harpist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and instructor at Oak Park’s Cappelli Institute
will accompany the singers.
In addition to first rate singing, this production of Madama Butterfly will have a set with a Japanese house, garden and water lily pond, beautiful costumes executed by Kathy Rubel and wigs/make-up by Christina Carlson. This production is sung in the original Italian, with a narration
and translation in English. It runs 2 hrs 20 minutes with intermission. There are only 5 performances and seating is limited. Order your tickets today 866-764-1010 or www.village-players.org. Tickets are $30 and $25 for stu/sen. Group and non-for profit discounts are available.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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