Ellen Kent's Madama Butterfly Reviews

Colin Joseph Carmelo Smart from Newcastle Upon Tyne,

A BRILLIANT PRODUCTION

I have no time for those who go to the opera to be awed by the sets, the size of the chorus and orchestra and forget that opera is about communicating emotions through voice. I have viewed productions at the Royal Opera House London live and cinema relay and several productions on relay from the Met and dvd and for once we were able to experience credible looking, acting and singing leads at a price from a one day at a time an opera touring company which makes use of local as well as International resources and which received one of the most positive response from the Saturday night audience at the Sunderland Empire. Those of now used to seating in refurbished cinemas find the seating cramped and difficult to get in and out but the view across the stage from one end row at the side with no one sitting next was better than past Riyal Opera House. Ice creams at £4 excessive but on a very cold night the coffee was suitably hot.

Ricardo from Brighton,

MADAME BUTTERFLY - AWESOME

I loved it, the cast were great and you have to admit that there isn't that much of a storyline but the singing was superb. I really liked that there was subtitles for the Italian lyrics. The highlight was the Ukrainian cast singing their national anthem and holding the flag and thanking the British public for supporting them. Very moving and brought the whole war situation close to home. So much compassion for the Ukrainian people.

Andy Diver from London, England

CIAO CIO SAN HEARTBREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL

Wimbledon 1st April. Got off to a nervous start..small orchestra sounded small ..Male openers speaking rather than singing..the appearance of Butterfly transformed the production..confidence spread to all the performers,the small numbers in the pit came to life in a magnificent show of fullness and musicality. Met,Covent garden,LA Scala..you won't see better

Gareth Edwards from Chester England

GREAT OPERA TERRIFIC PERFORMANCE

I saw it in New Brighton. The set was not cheap or tawdry as suggested by some reviewers but was entirely appropriate and the central building was essential to the staging. The costumes were authentic. Elena Dee gave a wonderful performance singing and acting Butterfly and was entirely believable. The Ukrainian orchestra was spot on. Italic Liskovetskyi was a bit old for Pinkerton but so what? Dragons was excellent as the consul as was Irina Sproglis as Suzuki. We are very lucky to have talent of this quality brought to us in the provinces at affordable prices. The audience loved it.

from London, England

REALLY LOVED THIS SHOW

I thought for myself it was just great in every conceivable way, feel a bit bad for booing the male villain and his wife at the end. I had been pulled into the story

Mike Schofield from Lincolnshire, England

BREATHTAKING PERFORMANCE

Saw Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall on Saturday 25 March 2023.. Alyona Kistenyova as Cio-Cio San was superb, her singing and acting being pure perfection. She was supported by an excellent cast, especially Vitalii Liskovetskyi as Pinkerton and Natalia Matveeva as Suzuki, both with wonderful voices. The use of a local child as Sorrow was such a clever idea and much appreciated by the audience. The set was good and provided the backdrop for the wonderful performances to transport you to Japan. The dastardly American sailor Pinkerton got the customary booing at the end but the rapturous applause for the production justly reflected the outstanding performances. Well done Ellen Kent for bringing the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre to us.

Sharon from London, England

WIMBLEDON THEATRE

Wonderful performance by everyone..fantastic orchestra. Emotional but beautiful..Sorrow was fabulous for one so young. Customary booing at end for Pinkerton followed by applause and fantastic support for Ukraine national anthem. Well done people!

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