Madame Butterfly Synopsis : Ballet West

On February 17, 1904, Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" premiered in Milan. From the article:

"Madame Butterfly Synopsis : Ballet West
butterfly_image
Prologue

Cio-Cio San, a geisha known as Madame Butterfly, dreams of her future.

Act I

On a hill overlooking the harbor, a wedding is about to take place between Lieutenant Pinkerton, a U.S. Naval officer, and Butterfly, with whom he has contracted a Japanese marriage. Goro, the obsequious marriage broker and general factotum, shows Pinkerton the house he will share with his young bride, and introduces him to the servants and Suzuki, Butterfly’s personal maid.

The first visitor to arrive is Sharpless, U.S. Consul at Nagasaki. Together, with Goro, they toast Pinkerton’s marriage arrangements. Sharpless, however, is deeply disturbed by the frivolous levity with which Pinkerton regards this marriage and utters a grave warning; not to break a trusting and devoting heart. He hands him a letter from Kate, Pinkerton’s betrothed, who waits for him back home in America. While Pinkerton must travel overseas to fulfill his career, he vows that on day he will marry his American girl.

The bridal party arrives and with much formality, Butterfly is introduced to the two Americans. They discover that she has been forced to become a geisha because of the dire poverty her once wealthy family fell into after her father committed ritual suicide. She is 15 years old.

Butterfly sets up a shrine and places her valuables gently upon it – including the sacred sword her father used to kill himself- and shyly shows them to Pinkerton. Confidingly, she tells Pinkerton that she has visited a U.S. Missionary and has become a Christian so that she may worship the same God as her husband. The brief marriage ceremony is carried out and, afterward, Sharpless warns Pinkerton to be sensible.

The wedding celebration is in full-swing and Pinkerton encourages Butterfly’s family to eat and drink, hoping this will hasten their departure. Suddenly, Butterfly’s uncle, The Bonze, bursts into the happy scene. He has learned of Butterfly’s visits to the U.S. Missionary, and in a rage, now denounces her for rejecting the faith of her fathers. An uproar ensues, and the relatives depart cursing. Tenderly, Pinkerton consoles his weeping wife. Slowly, she abandons her innocence, and they lie down beneath the stars.

Intermission

Act II

Several years have passed since Pinkerton left Nagasaki. Butterfly is desperately poor and only Suzuki will stay with her. She is convinced that one day her husband will return and brushes aside others’ doubts.

Sharpless and Goro arrive at the house. Goro is anxious to profit from a new match between Butterfly and the wealthy Prince Yamadori, now that the marriage to Pinkerton can be annulled. Sharpless produces a letter he has received from Pinkerton. Butterfly teases Yamadori mercilessly over his passion for her and turns down his marriage proposal. Ignoring Japanese tradition Butterfly maintains her vow to Pinkerton. Prince Yamadori leaves, followed by a furious Goro, who finally wipes his hands clean of Butterfly.

Sharpless hands the letter to Butterfly, but she is too excited and begs him to read it to her. Knowing the letter’s fatal contents, he hesitates and inquires what Butterfly’s future would hold if Pinkerton were never to return. Horrified at the suggestion, she fetches their son and triumphantly shows him to the Consul. Instead of the truth, Sharpless tells her that the letter has no sad news and promises to tell Pinkerton about his son.

Goro has been spying on the household and upon Sharpless’s exit, attacks the family saying that a fatherless half-breed child is considered an outcast in Japan. Butterfly is outraged and chases him away.

A cannon shot is heard from the harbor announcing the arrival of a ship. Butterfly, watching from the terrace, recognizes Pinkerton’s ship; he has finally come back to her. She sends Suzuki to pluck flowers from the garden and they set about adorning themselves and the house. As evening falls, she makes several holes in the paper wall so they can watch for Pinkerton’s arrival. She dreams of his return, and of her and her son’s acceptance, wealth, and happiness in America- their new home.

As dawn breaks, the dream is shattered. Suzuki wakes up and urges her weary mistress to retire. Suddenly, Pinkerton, Sharpless, and Kate arrive at the door. The have come early in the morning with hopes of finding Suzuki alone, and of enlisting her support to persuade Butterfly to accept Kate’s offer to adopt the child. For Pinkerton, the house is full of poignant memories. Overcome by remorse, he decides to leave without seeing Butterfly. Butterfly awakens and notices his departure; alarmed she questions Suzuki. Suzuki’s sobbing and Sharpless’s silence, coupled with the presence of Kate, make her gradually realize the awful truth. With her heart broken, Butterfly agrees to relinquish her son to Pinkerton and his new wife.

Sharpless, Kate, and the boy leave, and Butterfly collapses in desperation. She orders Suzuki away, who rushes after Sharpless for help. Butterfly lifts her father’s sword, reading its inscription 'to die with honor when one can no longer live with honor.'"