Ciao, Cio-Cio

Madama Butterfly, Metropolitan Opera

Another glorious production from the Met. Veronica Villarroel's Cio-Cio, the young woman as delicate as a butterfly, sang rapturously of her love for the American naval officer Pinkerton. In return, the Met audience gave her a rapturous ovation, complete with thrown bouquets and cherry-blosson confetti.

Pinkerton (as nasty an American such as could be written about by The Guardian or Le Monde) was the debut of Marco Berti, who has played the role at many other venues, Covent Garden, San Fran, etc. A few notes seemed rushed, but mostly his was a lush tenor. In particular, he nailed his exit hurrah, which brought about more audience 'bravos'.

To top off the evening, the performance was conducted by Placido Domingo, who, naturally, received as big an ovation as any of the stars. The Met orchestra is extraordinary to begin with; I'm not sure what Domingo brings to the table, but the end result was certainly on of the most pleasant evenings of opera I've attended.