Puccini’s Madama Butterfly – Virginia Opera (2003) – The Washington Post

The Virginia Opera gave a completely traditional and completely satisfying performance of Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” Friday night. The voices were excellent, as they usually are in Virginia Opera productions. What distinguished the performance was the fine acting in the principal roles…under the direction of James Marvel, whose experience in Noh and Kabuki theatre could be sensed in the stage action’s evocative understatement. All were convincing in this drama of love, betrayal, and death. Butterfly is best done, as this performance was, in the time- honored style.

– The Washington Post, Monday October 27, 2003, Joseph McLellan