Reviews of this production included:
“HGO’s production is the one to go for [over the English National Opera's production]. It faithfully recreates Puccini’s moral drama of the affections.” – Camden New Journal.
“Another glorious opera performed beautifully to the highest standard by HGO” – NODA.
“From the moment that the lights went up on “old Nagasaki” I was swept along by the excellent singing of the lead performers . . .As they say in La Scala, ‘Bravo’. We have certainly made a note in our diaries to see next spring’s Hampstead Garden Opera’s offering. ” - Buzz magazine.
Poster (opens in new window)
“Come, my little mousmée, let us part good friends. Let us even embrace, if you wish. I took you for my own amusement and, although you may not have been a total success, you gave me what you could: your little body, your respect, and your quaint music. All in all, you have been sweet enough in your Nipponese way. And, who knows, perhaps I shall think of you from time to time, in a roundabout way, when I recall this glorious summer, the pretty gardens , and the music of the cicadas.” (Pierre Loti, Madame Chrysanthème)
She was a 15-year-old geisha who renounced her family and religion to marry an American naval officer... He was a brash adventurer who thought he could have a girl in every port - till he was ready for a ‘real American wife’... The US Consul warned him – but he took no notice. The result: betrayal, dishonour,tragedy. (English translation by R. H. Elkin.)
“Great griefs in small souls... Not too much psychology but sympathetic understanding of human grief... To make the world weep – therein lies everything.”
Venue and Bookings: See the Venue page.
Tickets:
£15 (concessions £12) except for 3 November
(£25 including glass of wine, special charity performance in
aid of Samaritans); all seats unreserved
Time:
7.30 pm on Thursday 3 November (special charity performance in aid of
Samaritans - all tickets £25 including glass of wine), Friday
4 November, Saturday 5 November, Thursday 10 November, Friday 11
November, Saturday 12 November 2005; matinees 4pm Sunday 6 November and
Sunday 13 November 2005
Chorus: Valentina Bishop, Antonia Leach, and Catherine Minns.
Principals:
| Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday mat. 6 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday mat. 13 | |
| Cio-Cio-San (Madam Butterfly) | Helen Julie Johnson | Susan Parkes | Helen Julie Johnson | Susan Parkes | Susan Parkes | Helen Julie Johnson | Susan Parkes | Helen Julie Johnson |
| Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton | Matt Connolly | Randy Nichol | Matt Connolly | Randy Nichol | Randy Nichol | Matt Connolly | Randy Nichol | Matt Connolly |
| Sharpless, the US consul | David Rose | Graham Lawder-Stone | David Rose | Graham Lawder-Stone | David Rose | Graham Lawder-Stone | Graham Lawder-Stone | Graham Lawder-Stone |
| Suzuki, Madam Butterfly’s servant | Marianne Wentzel | Annette Dumville | Marianne Wentzel | Annette Dumville | Annette Dumville | Marianne Wentzel | Annette Dumville | Marianne Wentzel |
| Goro, a marriage broker | Jezz James | Jake White | Jezz James | Jake White | Jake White | Jezz James | Jake White | Jezz James |
| Prince Yamadori, a suitor | Ross Penglase | Guido Smeets | Ross Penglase | Guido Smeets | Guido Smeets | Ross Penglase | Guido Smeets | Ross Penglase |
| The Bonze, a prince, Butterfly's uncle | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith |
| Uncle Yakuside | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives |
| Kate Pinkerton | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King | Hannah King |
| Commissioner | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor | Aidan Smith | Giles Naylor |
| Registrar | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives | Paul Ives |
| Aunt | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper | Carol Capper |
| Cousin | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi |
| Mother | Kuan Hon | Jackie Cushing-Collins | Kuan Hon | Jackie Cushing-Collins | Jackie Cushing-Collins | Kuan Hon | Jackie Cushing-Collins | Kuan Hon |
| Servant 1 | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki | Yu Kanzaki |
| Servant 2 | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi | Asuka Kurogi |
| NB no Catherine Minns in chorus | NB no Catherine Minns or Tina Bishop in chorus |
Producer and director: Vicci
Mitchell-Luker
Assistant producer and director: Racky Plews
Conductor and music director: Michael Newton
Assistant music director: Alastair Macgeorge
Orchestra: The
Dionysus Ensemble.
