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“Stage Door” Review-Madama Butterfly, COC Toronto

October 21, 2014
Madama Butterfly, Four Seasons Centre, Toronto. Oct. 19-31, 2014

Madama Butterfly

The Canadian Opera Company is currently presenting the fourth remount of its beloved production of Madama Butterfly directed by Brian Macdonald and designed by Susan Benson.  First staged in 1990, it is a production that never fails to impress.  Characterized by simplicity and restraint, it deemphasizes the exoticism inherent in the setting to evoke the timelessness of tragedy.  Lead by Patricia Racette in her COC debut, the cast on opening night, with one exception, is superb.

Macdonald and Benson’s concept for the design derives from the discussion between Goro and Pinkerton at the start of the action about the nature of Japanese houses: “Vanno e vengono a prova / a norma che vi giova / nello stesso locale / alternar nuovi aspetti ai consueti” (“They can be moved around however you like so that you can alternate the room design whenever you need a change of scenery.

For the full review by Christopher Hoile of “Stage Door” click here: Madama Butterfly.

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Sooke Fine Arts Show, BC
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Hibernus Exhibition–RCA Members, Toronto
Portrait of an Island, Catalogue of the Exhibition
Portrait of an Island

Mahon Hall, Salt Spring Island, March 30 - April 8, 2018

Available at Amazon.ca

Susan Benson: Art, Design and Craft on Stage, by Patricia Flood

"A look at the work and career of Susan Benson whose work has been seen on some of the world’s most influential stages but is most identified with the Stratford Festival."

Available at Amazon.ca.

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  • Home
  • Portfolio
    • Folding Art Books
    • Paintings
    • Mixed media
    • Exhibitions
      • conflict
      • part of summer artcraft 2022
  • Stage Design
  • Bios
    • productions
    • exhibitions
  • about
  • contact me
  • Blog