“Rowley’s Cio-Cio-San threw every bit of her generously radiant soprano — and intense physicality — into the terrible epiphany of Butterfly.”
Dallas Morning News
“Jennifer Rowley’s portrayal of Butterfly was vivid; her clear soprano voice perfectly complemented Johnson’s tenor during the love duet and sustained her character’s fervent optimism throughout the second act, particularly during her major solo moment, the audience favorite, “Un bel dì vedremo.””
Texas Classical Review
“Not quite three hours after taking my seat, I found myself overwhelmed and emotionally drained—in a good way—not only by the entire breadth of the performance, but especially by soprano Jennifer Rowley in the title role. Rowley may well be the best Butterfly (aka Cio-Cio San) I have seen or heard—and we’ve had some of the best in Dallas and Fort Worth. Her voice is sweet, but with just enough brilliant edge to keep the listener totally engaged. Every note is perfectly placed in terms of volume, pitch, and emotional resonance.
While the role of Cio-Cio San might be dismissed as simply another tear-jerking tragic heroine, the character is incredibly complex: an innocent but passionate teenager (she’s ages fifteen to eighteen during the course of the action), clearly psychologically damaged by the downfall of her birth family (her once-prominent father committed suicide), vulnerable to the romantic overtures of an American sea captain—and eventually, fiercely loyal and protective as a mother. Rowley clearly “gets” all of it, both dramatically and vocally.”
On Stage TX.com
Photo: Sylvia Elzafon