Madam Butterfly

The cavernous arena is transformed into a Japanese water garden for David Freeman’s is visually arresting production, which returns with it in-the-round staging. It's all about spectacle, while Puccini’s grand tale of forlorn hope fades politely into the background. Nevertheless, there are inspired touches, such as Butterfly’s beatific entrance. Oliver Gooch draws a spirited, noisy performance from the Royal Philharmonic.