The Sunshine Coast Film Society presentation on May 4 at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse is a twist on an old favourite. You know the story of Madam Butterfly. However, this Butterfly is essentially a film - shot on location in Tunisia, with Oriental characters played by Oriental singers and Americans by American ones.
Newcomer, 27-year-old Chinese singer Yin Huang, is excellent as Cio-Cio-San. In the intimate spaces of the film, her voice fills all the corners. Richard Troxell is Pinkerton, his voice splendid and his manner assured. Puccini's music is beautifully rendered by the cast and the Orchestre de Paris under James Conlon. As an evocation of the emotions of love and the wound of betrayal, this film by Frédéric Mitterand (the late President of France's nephew), is close to Puccini's intentions and very moving and very beautiful to watch. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, or call 604-886-7781 to reserve.
