What a way to end the season. Vancouver Opera’s take on Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly is beautiful and brilliant, not to mention, brightly coloured. And I was there to blog all about it (nerd alert!).
Before taking our seats, opera bloggers John, Gus, Stacey and I had a backstage tour. We weren’t allowed to touch (or twirl) these parasols, but let me tell ya — what looks like simple corrugated plastic backstage makes for dramatic props on stage.
And I loved every psychedelic-shaped, primary-coloured inch of it. (Photo by Tim Matheson.)
Looking like the set of a sixties game show (can’t you just envision it filled with dancers doing the Austin Powers?), the stage’s swirls have been known to cause vertigo in those sitting in the balcony.
But we were sitting front row, centre. (Surtitles be darned — sitting that close means you can see the singers’ throats quiver).
This visual spectacle is the work of set and costume-designer Jun Kaneko, a Japanese-born sculptor at the forefront of the contemporary ceramics movement. (Thanks, Vancouver Opera, for the photo.)
So what’s the story? A beautiful fifteen-year-old geisha falls in love with an American sailor and sacrifices everything for him — her family, her friends, her religion, you name it. He marries her, but then leaves to return to the States, (didn’t her mother warn her about guys like that?) and she gives birth to his ridiculously adorable child.
Three years later, he returns to Japan to take their son to the States, leaving Madama Butterfly behind. She is in such despair, she… well, I won’t ruin it for you. (Manga by Roy Husada.)
Coincidentally I wore a sixties dress, but less mod and more Aud(rey). And that means it’s official: I have not worn a single dress from this millennium to the opera this season.
First, there was the eighties number with the crinoline, then there was the eighties number with the shoulders, then there was the fifties wedding dress and now this. Plus, last season, I rocked this significantly shorter sixties dress.
Even though this is the end of the opera season, my friends, there are still five performances of Madama Butterfly if you want to get in on it.
24 Comments
I love this dress on you! Probably one of my favourites you’ve worn.
I’m also now very intriqued by this opera. Very tempted to go!
Melissa
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kelsey Dundon, Melissa K. Melissa K said: You looked stunning! @TheAnthology It's official: I haven't worn a dress from this millennium to the opera all season http://is.gd/cvRiW […]
what a beautiful dress <3
[…] from Norma’s with its vertigo inducing lines and bold shapes and colours. On the tour, Kelsey suggested that it could easily be used as a set for a 60’s game […]
[…] here: Madama Butterfly, the memoirs of the geisha | The Anthology Share and […]
I deserve props for this dress too!!
oh wow. that dress is glamour to the max. in any era.
do tell what is that necklace you’re wearing?
I kept seeing the Madama Butterfly ads around town not having a clue what it was about. Thanks for the synopsis.
wow ! you look statuesque in that dress. its precious
That dress is gorgeous, definitely has “opera” written all over it!
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Rachael Krystina at http://www.latentblatant.com
What a gorgeous dress! Absolutely breathtaking!
Check that shape out! You looked fab Kelsey!
what a beautiful dress! you look SO tall!
Yes, very Audrey. Where do you find these amazing things?
Oooh, this dress looks so stunning on you! Love the silhouette! Madame Butterfly is such a great tale. I’ve never seen the opera version, only read the book and short story it’s based on. Those parasols are fab though!
Gorgeous dress. Audrey would be proud. :)
Hi Kelsey,
Thanks so much for being a part of our blogger squad during our Golden Anniversary.
I love all your outfits that you wore to the opera! You make elegance look easy.
Hope to see you next season!
Ling
awww! look at you all dolled up and gorgeous in that dress! You look beautiful Kelsey!
p.s. not sure if your into it but are you going to see the Lion King when it comes into town? I’m debating about it. . . .hmmmm
what a beautiful regal looking dress.
I think I’ve seen at least 4-5 versions of Madame Butterfly..
– the made for tv drama/opera
– Jeremy Irons M Butterfly..the most saddest one
– the book itself
– and I think a 1960s movie version
timeless & stunning dress! it fits you like a glove! xo
Dear Kelsey,
Thank you for your touching comment which seems so long ago. Break was taken.
I want that dress, it upstages the production you just posted about and so well photographed.
As for M. Butterfly, never watched it but a friend who comes from “Butterfly’s” world disliked the story because it put Butterfly in poor light, made me smile but I understood.
That dress looks amazing… so unique.. I don’t know anyone who would be able to pull something like that off, except for you. :P
One of my favorite operas of all time!! Glad you enjoyed it!
[…] one is vintage — sixties maybe? I wore it to the opera last year. And I’m still so, so glad I didn’t have this bad boy hemmed. (That would […]
[…] What a way to end the season. Vancouver Opera’s take on Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly is beautiful and brilliant, not to mention, brightly coloured. – Kelsey Dundon […]