Review Quotations
Madama Butterfly soars with simplicity. Stillness has a way of making sudden gestures seem profound. On Saturday, the Shreveport Opera's production of "Madama Butterfly" soared because it made the simplest actions " either strewing flowers petals or unsheathing a dagger " overflow with emotion. The production was directed by Chuck Hudson and conducted by Louis Menendez. The staging was exotic without being extravagant, allowing our attention to focus clearly on the deft performances by the cast and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. What struck me as most memorable was not the music but rather the calmly composed visions…Arguments were played without grand, distracting gestures. The cast always seemed to float in and out of view, never upstaging the two lovers…By highlighting crucial moments with true spectacle, the creators of this "Madama Butterfly" made sure the evening will not be forgotten soon. The Shreveport Opera deserves the highest marks for their efforts.