Madama Butterfly, Royal Opera House ***

I adore Puccini. Both Tosca and Boheme are astounding masterpieces. I feel that, whilst Butterfly has a similarly romantic score with wonderful arias, the plot is shaky without likeable leads. Pinkerton is a despicable character who never loves his Japanese bride. There is no point throughout the opera where I felt any sympathy for him. Perhaps it is the way Brian Jagde plays him,the way John Luther Long or David Belsaco wrote him or how Puccini interpreted him. Cio- Cio- San is played here by Ana María Martínez in quite a narcissistic way and even though the arias are sung sublimely, the tragic denouement seems to come about purely due to Butterfly's self centred attitude. The last negative thought is on the staging. The stripped back set jars with the grand nature of this opera house which is disappointing for what seems to be a popular opera for first time opera goers. Despite this, there is still plenty to enjoy. It is satisfying when you notice the different themes and the conducting from Nicola Luisotti is wonderful, bringing out the romance in the piece, especially in Un Bel Di, Vedremo which is up there with operas great arias. It is a perfectly enjoyable experience to watch this opera, but it does need a lot of work done before it becomes a true pleasure to see.