María José Siri Makes History As ‘Madama Butterfly’

By Francisco Salazar

María José Siri is about to make history in the title role of “Madama Butterfly” when she sings the 1906 version of the opera at the Macerata Opera Festival on July 22, 2017.

The soprano will become the first soprano since Rosina Storchio, who created the role, to sing the “standard 1906 version” after performing the original 1904 version.

Siri made her debut as Cio-Cio-San in the original version of “Madama Butterfly” on opening night at the Teatro alla Scala’s 2016-17 season on December 7, 2016, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. The rarely heard original version of the opera was shelved by Puccini after the public rejected the work. Puccini went on to make revisions after the premiere.

“I had the privilege to make my debut in this role on the same stage where Puccini witnessed his opera’s birth one hundred and twelve years before.”, said María José Siri in a press statement. “I don’t think I will ever experience such an overwhelming emotion again: La Scala, the inauguration of its season, the original version and the devastating and shattering character of the young mother and geisha. Now, in a few days, making my debut in the final and far more fortunate version of ‘Madama Butterfly,’ I will have once again the possibility to live even more intensely the drama of this girl, a heroine of all times and still extremely modern. I will try to catch and convey the subtle differences Puccini introduced in what he came to regard as his conclusive thoughts on the opera, and above all, I will try to be fully in tune with Cio-Cio-San’s pure, lacerated and strong soul.”

Siri performs on July 22, 28 and August 6 and 12, 2017.

 

 

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