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Madama Butterfly

Opera in three acts by G. Puccini, Libretto by G. Giacosa and L. Illica. First performance: Milan, 1904.

Characters: Cio-cio-San, called Madama Butterfly (soprano) ; Suzuki, her servant (mezzo-soprano); B.F.Pinkerton, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (tenor); Sharpless, U.S. Consul (baritone) ; Goro, marriage Pinkerton (mezzo-soprano); Cio-cio-san's child (silent).Nagasaki, at the turn of the century

Act I: Lieutenant Pinkerton, Making last-minute arrangements for his wedding, is shown through his new house overlooking the harbor of Nagasaki by Goro, the marriage broker, Three servants, including the maid Suzuki, are introduced.

Sharpless, the Consul,arrives. As he sits down for a drink with Pinkerton, the young Lieutenant expounds the philosophy of the roving Yankee who ventures forth boldly, expecting the fairest of every land as his reward. The conversation then turns to the bride. Goro praises her beauty, and Pinkerton sends him to fetch her. The mere thought of his bride moves Pinkethon to raptures, but the kindly Consul warns him not to betray a girl who, to judge from her behavior, takes this marriage very seriously. Goro now returns,announcing the arrival of Butterfly and her companions. the girls can already be heard in the distance chattering gaily without a thought of the disaster which is beginning to unfold.

Now the girls have reached the house, and Butterfly is ready to start a new life. She tells her freinds that she is the happiest girl in Japan, or rather in the world. When the introductions are over, the bride tells Pinkerton that she comes from a once rich family that later met with ill-fortune, whereupon she was forced to earn a living as a geisha. Soon some officials and Butterfly's relations arrive.

Pinkerton approaches Butterfly, and she commences to unburden herself of her belongings, which she has been carrying in the sleeves of her kimono. Among them is something she does not want to show in front of all the people, but Goro gives Pinkerton a whispered explanation: it is the dagger sent by the Mikado to her father with order to commit harakiri. Now Butterfly confides to Pinkerton that she has secretly embraced Christianity, so that her fate may be linked closer to that of her husband.

The marriage ceremony is performed. Then the officials, including the Consul, congratulate the groom and leave. All are drinking a toast to the young couple when suddenly a voice from the distance furiously calls and curses Cio-Cio-San. It is her uncle. the Bonze, who has found out about her conversion. He arrives and commands all the relations to renounce Butterfly. When Pinkerton finally intercedes, all leave, repeating the curse over and over.

Butterfly is standing motionless and silent. her face buried in her hands. but her despair quickly gives way to childlike happiness under Pinkerton's gentle words of love. Slowly night begins to fall, and the pair remains alone. Butterfly changes into a white gown, and her new husband gently leads her onto the terrace as vows of love flow from their lips.