BUTTERFLY VS BUTTERFLY

Not that we would have ever come to blows over the matter but it was at least fair to say that both our sets of heels were firmly secured in our proverbial trenches as we pitched one Madama Butterfly against the other. In this operatic war of attrition, we were less Lieutenant Pinkerton from Puccini's opera and more Colonel Nicholson in 'The Bridge On The River Kwai' from David Lean's classic 1957 war movie.

For my friend, there was no debate. Renata Scotto's Butterfly with Sir John Barbirolli on EMI was the pinnacle of interpretation when it came to the role of Cio Cio San (Madama Butterfly). I, however, had already sworn my devotion to another Italian soprano, Mirella Freni, especially her recording of the same opera on Decca with Herbert Von Karajan and thus it was Scotto (from Savona) vs Freni (from Moderna) and so locked were we with our unwavering judgments on the matter like two stubborn samurai there could be no impasse unless one conceded to the other.

But now I'm sad to report that the long arc of time has finally dealt us both two hammer blows as I lost my Butterfly (Freni) back in 2020 and today my friend has lost his Butterfly (Scotto) and so we are now at a juncture where the cold reality of death has finally (I assume) softened our hearts.

Actually, the truth of the matter is, I have always loved many of Scotto's performances, especially her Butterfly, Suor Angelica, Lauretta and Desdemona though some less kind critics had liked to point out the flaws of her voice including a Callas-like vibrato that became increasingly pronounced over the later years of her career. But we pay no mind to such trivialities as we're all about the spirit behind the voice and make no mistake Renata had that in abundance.

Nevertheless, I should state for the record that although my friend and I had our war of the butterflies, deep down both of us knew that there was one Butterfly above both even our beloved Renata's and Mirella's.

Her name was Maria Callas of whom Scotto famously said: "She was the genius. Genius comes from genio — spirit. That makes her greater than all of us."

I personally think Italy should consider itself blessed to have so many beautiful butterflies of which Scotto was undoubtedly one and who gave audiences across the world many bel giorni (fine days).

Rest In Peace - Renata Scotto (1934-2023) x

Author's note - at the time of writing this short piece, I've just noticed a butterfly dancing in the sunlight silhouetted on the white wall next to my oriel window which seems most poignant. Also, I forgot to mention my love of Scotto's second Madama Butterfly 1981 recording on CBS with Lorin Maazel conducting and Placido Domingo as the caddish Pinkerton. Without looking for any further altercation with my opera-loving friend, let us just say it's very, very close to giving Sir John's classic recording a run for its money, Addio!