First Ballet Experience: Ballet West's Madame Butterfly

On November 12, I had the incredible experience of seeing Ballet West’s Production of Madame Butterfly. I am so grateful for this experience because I was the first time I had ever seen a ballet performed. I enjoyed the evening immensely, and hope to be able to attend more ballets in the future. To begin with, I was excited that Ballet West performed in the Capital Theater because I had never had the pleasure of stepping into that particular theatre before. I adored the grand elegance of the theatre itself and the kindness of the staff members working. I was pleased to discover how nice the view was from my seat, and it was nice to see the staff go the extra mile to really help each patron enjoy their experience. For example, one of the Ushers

Not only was it evident that the dancers had worked hard, but that ballet was truly something was inherently a part of them, so much that many of them would have had a void within them that would be hard to fill without this art form in their lives. This was incredibly evident from the outstanding choreography, and how each dancer was like a part of a clock working together to solidify the haunting story of Madame Butterfly. I also loved how each character had different characterizations to help silently establish who they were. For example, much of Pinkerton’s movements were sharp, while Butterfly’s were more slow and graceful. I also loved how mirroring was used to help establish and solidify relationships of characters. For example, in the second act, after Sharpless has read Butterfly the letter from Pinkerton, Suzuki and Butterfly have very similar choreography that works to compliment and define the strength of their relationship. I also noticed how there was very similar choreography when Pinkerton introduced Kate as his wife, as there was for when he introduced Butterfly as his wife. I think this choreography enhanced who Kate was, and how much harm Pinkerton was actually causing Butterfly by not only finding her replacement, but by taking the only thing that Butterfly could remember him by: His

I loved how Butterfly’s Uncle’s identifying step for me were how he would always seem to be doing jumps such as glissades and pas de chats in his choreography. I was pleased to see that I recognized the temps levés and enveloppés that Sharpless was implementing when he read Butterfly Pinkerton’s letter. I now understand how crucial it is for dancers to spot after I viewed how sharp, straight, and elegant Pinkerton’s pirouettes were in Act one. I also believe in the power of articulating through pliés are to a dancer because I saw how simply beautiful and high the cast’s grande jetés were throughout the performance. How important epaulment for ballet dancers is was very evident throughout, and how much thinking of performing to each individual’s corner of the room was critical in creating and maintain straight and crisp