Goldstar

• Rated 0.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

Has there ever been a worse director than Robert Wilson? I bought these tickets impulsively, having forgotten that the Wizard of Odd had directed this production. Instead of the wonderful collision of colorful rival exotic worlds (Puccini's Italy, Butterfly's Japan, Sharpless's imperial America) we got Wilson's standard tiresome quirky gestures, moronic walks, no heart, no warmth, supremely arrogant indifference to the meaning of the music and the text, and no real human connections permitted among the poor betrayed automatons on the stage (why do the singers allow this?). Wilson's neo-Flash Gordon costumes and style mark a new chapter in his astonishing self-importance and another ruthless trashing of the work he has incomprehensibly been engaged to illuminate. Never again, for me.

• Rated 0.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

The singing itself appeared to be quite good. But, if all I'd wanted to do was listen to the singing, I could have saved the money and aggravation, stayed home and listened to a CD of the performance. The point of going to live opera is to experience the opera as a total performance: not just music and singing, but also set design, costumes, and acting that bring the music and libretto to life. In that regard, the experience was a disaster for me, and makes me question whether I'll be attending any other operas this season. Unfortunately, the minimalist set design, the costuming, and the deliberately robotic "acting" were, IMO, deplorable. They combined to make what has always been among my favorite operas and opera "stories" essentially unwatchable and yawn-producing. The other adult in my group was even more upset and critical about how the minimalist set, monochromatic costumes and robotic body movements ruined the experience. The young adolescent in our party, whom we were hoping to introduce to opera, was bored out of her mind -- and she was predisposed to like it, because she knows and likes the story. Opera in general -- and the L.A. Opera Company in particular -- has definitely lost one potential future fan.

• Rated 2.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

this was our first Opera. I thought the Opera was kinda slow and drawn out. I kept falling asleep. Also, we were in the first row center. The seats were good for seeing the stage and hearing the music, but we had to bend our heads back and look up toward the ceiling to see the subtitles. I don't recommend the first row for that reason. At least eight to ten rows back would be better.

• Rated 2.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

I loved the music of course but did not care one bit for the modern/minimalist set and costume designs.

• Rated 1.0
• Written on Oct 02 2008

I was disappointed that the set was so "low-budget". I had expected impressive props and beautiful kimonos. Instead, the show was plain with NO props except for pieces of wood used for one seat. The singers' voices were not strong in the first act, but I think they got better in the second act. This was the worse opera I've ever seen. Parking was a nightmare. We drove around for 1/2 hour and ended up parking near Burger King's (at least, the street was free). I recommend getting there at least 1 hour prior to secure a spot in one of the two lots.

• Rated 2.0
• Written on Oct 02 2008

Our seats were fantastic. Thank you so much for your help in providing us with the opportunity to see the show from very good seats. I have not seen opera for a while and the mixture of kabuki pace and italian opera was not as effective for me. But perhaps i just do not have as much experience with opera.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 02 2008

A stunning performance! Bob Wilson is someone I would follow religiously... such elegant and superbly crafted production, beautiful lighting.. just amazing. I can recommend highly

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

This particular interpretation of Madame Butterfly was different than any I have seen in the past. The set and costumes very simple and the choreography was kind of unusual but I thought the overall effect was very dramatic and I really enjoyed the whole experience. Liping Zhang was fantastic in the lead role. Our seats we great, middle orchestra.

• Rated 1.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

A truly mediocre experience. The Butterfly had a lovely voice and had no problem singing the role, but I found her dramatically uninteresting. The tenor is horrible,truly the worst tenor I've seen at on LA Opera stage. He quite simply could not sing the role in tune or without extraordinary effort. He ruined act 1 for me. The Suzuki and Sharpless were ok. The Wilson production did not help matters much. I love Robert Wilson, but his static cool approach goes against the emotional music Puccini has written. I found the evening very dull and uninteresting.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 07 2008

we had great seats! The music was wonderful!

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

Soprano and tenor were both glorious. Personally I didn't like the set, but again, opera is about the singing. I had a great time. One thing annoying was that the Music Center parking lot was full. Had to circle around for parking and ran to Dorothy Chandler, not my ideal way to begin an opera when I was running along with others that couldn't find parking.

• Rated 3.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

cast were great but the stage background were marginal at best.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

Gorgeous production! Lighting,sets, costumes, movement all beautiful.
Wonderful voices. Altogether magic!

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

I have been wanting to see Madama Butterfly for a few years now. I decided to go with GoldStarEvents since I haven't been disappointed by the seats I've gotten at each Venue. Our seats where in the last row-center. You can see everything from there including the prompters. If you love the Opera, you will absolutely love this Opera!!! Madame Butterfly was amazing. I was so moved by the singers range of volcals and the love story they sang. At the end it was so sad I couldn't help but cry a little. So amazingly beautiful. You must see it if you are an Opera fan.

• Rated 2.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

I felt the production was a too minimalistic as far as staging (sets) and costumes were concerned.

I have seen the production before and the ending scene especially, which is supposed to be incredibly dramatic, was symbolic instead of emotional and lost the impact.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

The seats were alright - Z64 & 63 due to foot-traffic after start of the performance. Soprano, Liping Zhang was super but tenor, Franco Farina was tight in his vocal cord. This is my second attendance and I still don;t like Robert Wilson's staging, particularly the part with Cio Cio San's son walking on the stage, distracting from the music.

• Rated 4.0
• Written on Oct 06 2008

My second Madama Butterfly at LA Opera. This one was perfection! The stage design, costumes and above all the singing were all superlative... The second act was incredibly moving. Un Bel Di has never sounded so authentic. 5 min standing ovation to Liping was well deserved...