1904 Madame Butterfly by Histoires de Parfums: Opinions

[NabiE]

I've sampled quite a few perfumes from the Histoires de Parfums line over the years, but this one has always eluded me.

I'd love to hear from those who own it, or who are familiar with it. How would you describe it? And how does it compare, in your opinion, to other creations in a similar "genre", or with a similar vibe? Is it among the best to do whatever it does, or are there other contenders which do it better?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Schubertian]

I have (or had?) a sample of this. I liked it quite a lot, though I expected it to be more about iris and a bit less about neroli (a note I'm not a fan of). The citrus does give it a lift though. I don't recall the drydown being wow...
However, it's been a year or so since I last tried it, so my recollection may not be perfectly accurate. I can't really say whether it's unique, but it is pretty. If my sample is still somewhere (everything is packed away at the moment), it's one I want to revisit. The price is :/ however. Sorry I can't help much.

 

[NabiE]

@Schubertian, thank you! Your description is actually more helpful than you think: I don't enjoy neroli very much, either (I much prefer orange blossom, and even then, it has to be quite sweet), so this might not be the dreamy orris-heliotrope I'm picturing in my mind after all. Knowing this, the risk of me keeping on obsessing over it/being tempted to buy can be more easily contained.
In case you find your sample in the future, and feel like revisiting and sharing some additional impressions, I'll read them with pleasure! Having occasionally crossed paths with (or just read) you both here and on Fr., I've come to respect and admire your impeccable taste.

 

[cacio]

Somehow I had missed this perfume altogether, so now you've made me curious...

I also don't see verveine among the notes-a grave omission since verveine is mentioned in the opera.

Edit: I did a quick google search and now see that the main English translation uses "orange blossom"-which is not what the original Italian version says. It might also explain why those brand used orange blossom instead of the more correct verveine.

cacio

 

[Schubertian]

I also don't see verveine among the notes-a grave omission since verveine is mentioned in the opera.

Edit: I did a quick google search and now see that the main English translation uses "orange blossom"-which is not what the original Italian version says. It might also explain why those brand used orange blossom instead of the more correct verveine.

Huh, I didn't realise that was the English translation! Thank you. The original of course is "Piccina mogliettina,
olezzo di verbena, i nomi che mi dava al suo venire."

 

[cacio]

Exactly, that's the italian. Of course the choice of verveine might simply be because it fits the meter, but still... Shortly after in the opera, Madame Butterfly shakes the cherry blossom and talks about their fragrance, though cherry blossoms, nice as they are, are not particularly interesting as a smell.

Amouage also did a perfume inspired by Madama Butterfly (honour), but that also does not contain verveine, but it's a white floral with a pepper top.

 

[hednic]

My granddaughter really likes this one.