Madame Butterfly

"The beginning of Act Three is impressive from a directorial perspective, opening with a projection of Butterfly's dream on the stage, with the character herself slumped in a chair, asleep. The ensuing ensemble is striking enough, and the rest of the opera holds the attention well. Wellber emphasises the eastern qualities in the score, and Butterfly's suicide is all the more powerful with her innocent son in the foreground. All in all, a pleasing cooperation between the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Glyndebourne Chorus, under the vigorous baton of Omer Meir Wellber".

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"This recording doesn't displace the recent Royal Opera version with Antonio Pappano conducting a starry cast - led by Ermonela Jaho's affecting Cio-Cio-San and also featuring DeShong - but is worth seeing, especially for its provocative Act 1".