L'Opera

Went to the Portland Opera on Friday, and what a treat. The director, Dona D. Vaughn, did an impeccable job delivering on one of Puccini's finest, MADAMA BUTTERFLY. I had never seen the opera performed, but had listened to it, along with all Italian opera at my mother's knee (how do you think Lucia wound up being my name?), and so had very high expectations. Which were met, and, at times, even exceeded. The conductor, Stephen Lord led the orchestra through some of the most complex musical twists and turns, and yet never overwhelmed the singers. Most of whom were jobbed in from the Met.  Pinkerton (played by Adam Diegel) managed to come off nearly likeable, Heather Johnson was compelling as Suzuki, Sharpless was sung, and acted, beautifully by Edward Parks, and the entire company was on its game for one of the only two annual performances of the Portland Opera.

But the night belonged to Inna Los as Cio-Cio San (Butterfly). A full, bell-like voice that chilled the spine on the high registers, and swooped into the middle and lower ranges of this, the most demanding role for a soprano in opera. In my humble opinion. Los not only had the voice for the role, but her acting chops were in abundant display, and every movement of her beautiful hands and every step was a graceful dance move that underlined the character's name. By the end of the evening, the entire Merrill Auditorium was filled with snuffling and the rustling of tissues. For myself, I had forgotten to bring a hankie and had to resort to allowing the tears to fall from my chin in profusion. If you get the chance to see this amazing powerhouse, run, do not walk. When Cio-Cio San plunged the knife into her breast and fell gracefully across the top of the center staircase, there was an audible, collective intake of breath. At that moment, and really for most of the time Los commanded the stage, she held all our hearts in a ransom we gladly paid.

All in all, it was a magical night and I highly recommend you attend when the Portland Opera stages its  production next year. When I find out which one it is, I'll make a note of it.