REVIEW: Madama Butterfly – Theatre Royal, Glasgow

The combination of one of the world’s most beloved operas and the perfect casting of South Korean soprano Hye-Youn Lee as Butterfly with a knock-out supporting cast, makes for an irresistible and unmissable night at the opera.

This timely revival (Miss Saigon based upon Puccini’s glorious work has newly opened in the West End) is a delight from beginning to end. On Yannis Thavoris’ clean, spare but effective set, the performers shine, in particular Miss Lee who in her highest range and in full voice manages to elicit many ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moments. Lee is ably supported by Spanish tenor José Ferrero as Pinkerton and by a fine-voiced Christopher Purves as American Consul, Sharpless.

Packing as much emotional punch as it ever has, this is a fine revival by Scottish Opera and a fitting close to the Sring/Summer season.

Catch it if you can when it returns in the summer, more details here.