Madama Butterfly (2005)

"This is not just another Madama Butterfly, as those who know the work of Robert Wilson already will have deduced. In fact, the only hints that we are in Asia are the Zen-like surroundings--there are no sets and almost no props--and the Noh-ish ritualized movements for hand and bodies that Wilson is so fond of. But then again, his Lohengrin uses similar movements and spare surroundings, and that is set in Brabant. Wilson, as ever, is going for something deeper, right? Does it work?Wilson is so sure of himself that despite the fact that with sound and subtitles off you could be watching almost anything set almost anywhere, if you've stuck with the show, you'll be both mesmerized and moved. And if you haven't been able to tolerate it, you will have run away after the first half hour. One man's mannerism is another man's deep interpretation." (ClassicsToday; klik voor deze en de OpusKlassiek-recensie op de links)