Search - Giacomo Puccini, Arturo Basile, Renata Scotto :: Puccini: Madama Butterfly

Renata Scotto was just graduating to heavier roles when this was taped in 1967. She's in wonderful form. Scotto lightens her sound sufficiently that Butterfly's tender age and innocence are altogether believable, and her ability to focus her tone and lean on the voice make the bigger, climactic moments stunning. Her portrait is that of a lovely, sad, victimized girl who retains her dignity to the end. Remarkable! Renato Cioni is at his best as Pinkerton, sounding passionate in the first act and regretful in the last. Alberto Rinaldi is a workaday Sharpless, but Franca Mattiucci, without a particularly distinguished sound, nevertheless manages to make Suzuki a major player. The conductor, Arturo Basile, seems to follow Scotto's highly dramatic lead, and the opera takes a firm hold on the listener. A really moving performance. --Robert Levine