Madama Butterfly
directed and designed by
John Pascoe
 
 
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‘In my opinion, the drama of Madama Butterfly has never appeared so contemporary.’
Planet Quebec, October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Act I: The arrival of Butterfly
Digital rendering by John Pascoe
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘When Butterfly entered carrying the United States Flag, she made a strong symbolic statement.’
Le Soleil, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
The arrival of Madam Butterfly (Lynn Fortin) carrying the ‘Stars and Stripes’.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘The stage displays both the Japanese and American flags in semi-permanence.
Le Journal De Quebec, 25 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
The American sailors and Pinkerton (David Pomeroy) are greeted by the bemused Suzuki (Allyson McHardy).
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘We are immediately led to understand that the differences between Japan and the United States, the underlying background to the libretto, will play a leading role in the stage director’s vision of the work. It was undoubtedly worth while developing this theme.’
Le Soleil, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Sharpless (Marc Belleau) looks at Pinkerton (David Pomeroy) as he meets Kate (Katrina Corbeil), while Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) signs the wedding contract.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘John Pascoe’s costumes are also quite beautiful. The greys of the chorus set off the luminous white of the soloists.’
Planet Quebec, 22 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Madama Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) accepts wedding gifts, while Goro (Benoit Boutet), films the event.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘This new production presented a number of striking and audacious traits. To be sure, one immediately recognises Pascoe’s hand in the visual design that is dominated by a flamboyant red circle that stands out from the background. The Stars and Stripes and the Japanese Rising Sun – stark, simple and elegant.’
Le Soleil, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
The arrival of the Bonze (Stefan Szkafarowski).
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Allyson McHardy as Suzuki is a natural actress with a remarkable stage presence.’
Le Soleil, 25 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Suzuki (Allyson McHardy) prays that Butterfly will stop crying.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘The sets (again by John Pascoe) are very Zen: sober, unornamented, elegant, effective.’
Planet Quebec, 22 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Digital set design by John Pascoe.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Lyn Fortin’s extraordinarily expressive acting as Butterfly was so convincing that she easily made us believe in the innocence of her fifteen-year-old protagonist’.
Planet Quebec, 22 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Un Bel Di Vedremo
Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) tries to reassure Suzuki (Allyson MacHardy).
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Opéra de Québec struck a winning blow with this first production of the season.The sold-out audience was charged with enthusiasm. How can you resist success, especially when it is the result of the collaboration of all concerned?’
Res Musica, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) and Suzuki (Allyson MacHardy).
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘The actors were extremely well directed by John Pascoe.’
Res Musica, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Suzuki (Allyson MacHardy) accuses Goro (Benoit Boutet), as Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) tries to stop her son (Isaac Rheaume Giroux) from overhearing.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Director/designer John Pascoe allows the drama to emerge in a series of tableaux of great beauty; nothing needs adjusting.’
Planet Quebec, 22 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Suzuki (Allyson MacHardy), Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) and her son (Isaac Rheaume Giroux) await the imminent return of Pinkerton.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Madam Butterfly with stronger political overtones.’
Le Journal De Québec, 25 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Madam Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) holds her son (Isaac Rheaume Giroux) as they wait for Pinkerton’s return.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Guy Lessard, as Prince Yamadori, is a totally convincing character.’
Res Musica, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Prince Yamadori (Guy Lessard) arrives to try to persuade Butterfly to marry him.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Sharpless appears almost as a ghost, costumed in dazzling white. Does not this recall the colour of death and mourning in oriental culture?’
Res Musica, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
‘E questo? E questo?’
Madam Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) shows Pinkerton’s son (Isaac Rheaume Giroux) to Sharpless (Marc Belleau).
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘Doesn’t the production reveal the arrogance of this almighty American, who takes the world as his playground, who neither respects nor is interested in other people, and who carelessly sows suffering and death wherever he goes?’
Planet Quebec, 22 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
‘Addio!’
Pinkerton (David Pomeroy) bids goodbye to Madam Butterfly.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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‘L’Opéra de Québec struck a winning blow with this production.’
Res Musica, 24 October 2005
L'Opéra de Quebec, October 2005
Knowing all is lost, Madam Butterfly (Lyn Fortin) decides on suicide.
Photo: Louise Leblanc
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