“It is one of the most difficult roles in the repertoire,” she asserts with a smile. “You have to be a young girl and a mature woman at the same time. You move from the innocent and obstinate little girl of the first act, all the way to the tragic heroine of the finale.”

The role of Cio-Cio San, Madame Butterfly’s real name, is especially dear to Miriam Gauci. It is a role she has returned to over and over again. “Madame Butterfly is an opera I treasure immensely,” Miriam says. “It has always brought me happy memories.” There are plenty of photos of her in the role to prove it, including Robert Wilson’s famous minimalist production inspired by kabuki theatre.

“Madame Butterfly is an ex­tremely challenging opera for the soprano. You’re on stage all the time.” Somehow I feel this has never posed a problem for her. Everything about Miriam Gauci is naturally theatrical. Every movement and every utterance embody a dramatic purpose that fill her simplest of gestures with meaning.

At one point, the conversation moved to the terrace overlooking Marsascala Bay, and Miriam looked wistfully over the horizon. For a moment she became Cio Cio San, anxiously awaiting the return of her husband Pinkerton. I swear I could hear the Humming Chorus in the background.

“Puccini’s women are special. Verdi, of course, has great roles, but Puccini’s women are something else.” Miriam knows a thing or two about Puccini’s women, with Mimi, Tosca, Liù, Manon Lescaut, and Suor Angelica all in her repertoire. At various points in the conversation I could feel her merging from one role to the other, but always remaining uniquely Miriam Gauci.

Madame Butterfly is an extremely challenging opera for the soprano. You’re on stage all the time

“What about Minnie?” I venture to ask. “She is not me,” she replies affirmatively. That Miriam’s voice is a splendid one is undeniable. But her artistry lies not just in the timbre of her technique, but in how well she knows her instrument and how to use it. She knows which roles suit her voice and temperament, which is why she has never considered the fiery cowgirl of Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West.

“I could have made my La Scala debut with Butterfly, you know?” she smiles teasingly. “I was vocally too young for the role, I was not ready for it, and I eventually ended up doing La Sonnambula instead.” Once again, we find ourselves talking about Butterfly and, each time it feels as if she were recounting a personal tra­gedy not discus­sing an operatic role. “Every time I have performed But­terfly I discover something new. You work with different directors and they all give you a different outlook on the story.”

It is with this long history behind her that Miriam takes on the role of Madame Butterfly one more time, this time as part of the Gaulitana Festival in Gozo. For this production, Enrico Castiglione will revive his version originally staged at Taormina’s  amphi­theatre. She is also no stranger to the festival, having already given a series of master classes for young singers on several occasions.

I notice a signed print on the wall. “It’s Romeo and Juliet. Zeffirelli gave it to me. He knew I loved Romeo and Juliet, so he gave me this,” she beams. Sure enough, it was signed by the master himself. Miriam has worked with some of the greatest in the ope­ratic world, and yet she speaks of her creative peers in a very down-to-earth manner. At no point does she speak badly of any one, choosing instead to highlight the positive side of everything.

We talked about anything and everything. I was glad that for once I did not have to follow any form of script, and instead we could chat about anything (it seems we both have a lack of talent for basic car maintenance).

The conversation lasted for over two hours, and I have enough material to write a book. Who knows, maybe one fine day she will put pen to paper and write down her story, but for now she will keep on singing. In today’s topsy turvy world we need music more than words.

Madame Butterfly takes place on April 1 at 7.30pm at the Aurora Theatre, Victoria, as part of the Gaulitana Music Festival.

www.gaulitanus.com

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