Opera Daily 🎶 — When a friend takes the stage (or the field)
This week's Opera Daily features how "knowing" the performers enhances our experience in arts and sports
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Recently I had the chance to attend a performance of Puccini's Madama Butterfly in Sarasota, where my friend Heather Johnson was singing the role of Suzuki.
The term '“friend” can often be used loosely to describe our connection with performers and athletes we don't know personally but feel a particular affinity for. In this instance though, I have the unique experience of knowing Heather personally, which made the performance all the more special.
This experience led me to reflect on the ways in which having a personal connection, whether real or perceived, with the performers can significantly impact our enjoyment of arts and sports.
The Power of Personal Connections
When we feel connected to someone performing on stage or playing on the field, we become more invested in their success and the outcome of the event. This personal connection allows us to experience their triumphs and struggles in a more profound way, as we can empathize with their emotions and efforts.
In the case of my friend Heather’s performance, my connection with her gave me an insider’s perspective on the dedication, passion, and hard work that went into her preparation for the role. This insight made me appreciate the performance on a deeper level, as I could see the fruits of her labor come to life on stage.
Similarly, many sports fans feel a strong connection to their favorite athletes. For me, it’s someone like Serena Williams who generously shares her life experiences with the world. While I don’t know her personally, I feel a sense of friendship with her due to the glimpses of her life that she shares. This connection made watching her compete in her last US Open more thrilling and meaningful, as I rooted for her not only as an athlete but also as someone I’ve come to know and admire.
Am I the only one that feels this way? Would love to hear from you!
As we continue exploring the power of personal connections and friendship, let’s listen to the “Flower Duet” between Cio-Cio-San and Suzuki from Madama Butterfly. It’s glorious.
🎧 Listen here (3 minute listen): Renata Tebaldi as Cio-Cio-San and Fiorenza Cossotto as Suzuki in the duet “Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio... Or vieni ad adornar” (Flower Duet) from Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Conductor Tullio Serafin, Recorded in Rome, 1958
What’s happening in the duet?
Cio-Cio-San has been waiting patiently for Pinkerton’s return after telling her, “Oh, Butterfly, my little wife, I shall return with the roses, when the earth is full of joy when the robin makes his nest.” Three years have passed, but unfortunately, no Pinkerton. Cio-Cio-San has refused the wealthy Prince Yamadori's marriage proposal, been warned by Sharpless and the US Consul that he will never return, yet she still believes he will return to her.
At this moment in the opera, there is a canon in the harbor signaling the arrival of a ship. Cio-Cio-San and Suzuki see that it is Pinkerton’s ship. Cio-Cio-San tells Suzuki to collect all the flowers from the garden and shower them throughout the house to make it “all Spring”. They laugh and enjoy this moment. Unfortunately, it will be the last happy moment for both of them.
Thank you for reading (and listening), and feel free to reply with feedback or leave a comment.
Please have a wonderful week,
Michele
PS. If you missed last week’s selection, we featured an absolute legend, the one and only Romanian soprano, Virginia Zeani.
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I am grateful for the opportunity to have been reintroduced this week to Renata Tebaldi (https://fondazionerenatatebaldi.org/en/biography/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renata_Tebaldi), and to discover Fiorenza Cossotto (https://peoplepill.com/people/fiorenza-cossotto/;Fiorenza Cossotto-Wikipedia) for the first time.
With respect to your recent journey south, what an embarrassment of riches! Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" + Sarasota, Florida + BFF (and fellow mezzo soprano) Heather Johnson + your terrific January 2021 interview with her! After years of Trump trauma and pandemic pandemonium, I was glad to learn that opera singer and OD contributor Heather Johnson is back on stage singing, performing and making a living with her talent.
I enjoyed revisiting her remarks about Suzuki, one of her favorite roles: "People might think this is a thankless role, but she has some of the most delicious music in the opera with the duet in Act 2 and the trio in Act 3. Also, she is such a rich character. She is the only one who never leaves Cio Cio San's side. She is entirely devoted, and because of that, her fate is directly tied to Cio Cio San's."
I also appreciated her comments as follows: "For me personally, a good performance is a combination of great singing and great acting. Although, sometimes, I am riveted by someone's dramatic performance so much that I will forgive some vocal flaws and vice versa. A great performance is one that moves me."
Inspired by your friendship, aware that you continue to hone your craft and knowing you truly support each other, here are two quotations for you, Heather and all who cherish their friends, whether old or new, near or far:
- A best friend is someone who loves you when you forget to love yourself. (Unknown)
- Best friends don’t expect anything from you. They just accept you the way you are. (Maxime Lagace)
Thank you both for welcoming me into your world.🎻🎹👩🏽🎤
I feel a much deeper connection to the singers and each opera’s whole production process now that I have access to the met HD-in-theaters-experience. The backstage camera view and interviews have educated me, enhanced my enjoyment and, most importantly, made it possible for me to see a lot of world class opera despite living in a smallish town.