Puccini: The Butterfly Effect

Art imitates real life in an exploration of the lovers who suffered for the superstar of 19^th-century Italian opera, Giacomo Puccini.

It is no secret that major opera composer, Giacomo Puccini, “had his cigar in many ashtrays”, as one heartbroken lover puts it in this two-hander that delves into the women behind the man behind the tragediennes.

In a case of art imitating life, lyric soprano Vanessa West presents a cleverly staged, 90-minute exploration through spoken word and song of how women’s emotional pain was used as inspiration via four of the 19^th-century Italian maestro’s lovers, as well as his wife and an ingenue. It’s a whirlwind tour from West, accompanied by Angus Grant on piano. From Tosca through to La Boheme, the eponymous Madama Butterfly and more, Puccini’s diva arias effortlessly filled the venue and drew much applause from the capacity crowd of 160. West uses speech to provide the perspective of each real-life “character”.

This premiere one-woman show, written by West in association with Grant, with further creative input from dramaturg Dr Tarita Botsman and styling “ByCeline”, sees West cycle through a series of costume changes to suggest various women: sopranos Maria Jeritza and Rose Ader; the mysterious Corinna; creative confidante Sybil Seligman; de facto-turned-legal wife Elvira Puccini; and Puccini’s maid, Doria Manfredi.

A simple set of chaise, a folding screen, a side table and a throw rug are all that’s required for West to work her diverse gallery of lovers – behind the screen, a corseted gown becomes an elegant black dress; a simple servant’s shift turns into furs and jewels for the courtroom denoument: a jealous Elvira, who badmouths the virginal Doria to suicide, is charged with defamation and menace.

Angus Grant’s musical “fills” while West effects the costume changes succeed in holding audience interest: Puccini’s music sans voice is a treat in the Romantic vernacular. Meanwhile, the sheer power of the operatic soprano is showcased during West’s impassioned delivery of Elvira’s (imagined) court testimony, and here West also lets her acting ability shine.

Marie Blanch

Images: Marsha Fotogràfiê

Further performance dates are yet to be announced. See more at: www.vanessawest.com.au/the-puccini-effect