The opera "Madame Butterfly" was created by the famous Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini based on the work of the same name by David Belasco. This creation captivates with the beauty of vocal art, the brilliant music of Puccini and a wonderful dramatic plot. Until now, the opera is one of the most performed works in the whole world.
About the work
Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly was created in 1903 in three (first in two) acts on a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica. The play by David Belasco, based on which the opera was written, is a revised story by American fiction writer John Luther Long, Madame Butterfly. John Luther Long, in turn, before writing the story was inspired by the work of the French writer Pierre Loti "Madame Chrysanthemum".
Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly has an unusual history. On February 17, 1904, there was a huge failure at the premiere of the opera. Puccini, who had previously written Manon Lescaut, La Bohème and Tosca, was at the peak of his popularity. Therefore, all the main participants in the opera and the composer himself did not doubt the successful premiere of the performance.
After the first act of the opera, performed by the beautiful Rosina Storkio, was presented to the public, a deathly silence fell in the hall. Then disgruntled shouts were heard: "This is from La Bohème … Let's get something new!" After the end of the first act, whistles and obscene shouts were heard. The premiere of the opera was a complete flop.
After the unsuccessful premiere of the play, the frustrated Puccini took the score and made many changes in it, the main of which was the division of the prolonged second act into two parts. Three months later, a new variation of the opera was presented in the city of Brescia at the Teatro Grande.
The altered opera received a huge sensation. After the first act, the audience summoned the composer for an encore together with the singers. Since then, the opera "Madame Butterfly" has always been performed with triumphant success.
In the music of the opera Cio-Cio-san, Puccini used some Japanese melodies that harmoniously entered the musical lyrical tragedy, fully revealing the dramatic image of the main character. The special attractive power of the composer's music allows the listener to penetrate and understand the extraordinary beauty of Japanese culture.
Summary of I action
The performance takes place in the Japanese city of Nagasaki at the end of the 19th century.
Lieutenant Franklin Benjamin Pinkerton, a US Navy officer, is about to marry a young Japanese geisha named Cio-Cio-San, nicknamed Butterfly.
Japanese real estate broker Goro shows Lieutenant Pinkerton a beautiful house with a garden at the foot of a hill outside Nagasaki. In this rented house, the future spouses are going to marry according to Japanese traditions and spend their honeymoon.
Pinkerton's friend, the American consul, Mr. Sharpless, comes to the wedding ceremony. Pinkerton confesses to Sharpless about his frivolous plans for the future. He intends to marry a Japanese woman, Chio-Chio-San, but in America this marriage will not have legal force. This spousal agreement can be terminated at any time. Therefore, this fact gives him the opportunity to marry an American. Sharpless reproaches Pinkerton: after all, a young Japanese woman is so pure and innocent, how can a lieutenant do this to her?
The beautiful Cio-Cio-San appears on the stage, surrounded by geisha. Consul Sharpless admires her beauty and asks about her age. Cio-Cio-San replies that she is only fifteen years old. She talks about her past life: the girl grew up in poverty, she has no father, she was raised by her mother. Also, the young bride confesses her love for Pinkerton and declares her decision to renounce the Japanese faith and convert to Christianity.
During the wedding ceremony, Butterfly's own uncle, a Japanese bonza, appears. Upon learning of his niece's betrayal of his faith, he curses Cio-Cio-San, as well as her marriage to an American. Having become a legal spouse, Lieutenant Pinkerton tells the guests to leave in order to be alone with his wife.
Summary of action II
Three years passed. After the marriage, Pinkerton left for America, and Cio-Cio-San remained to wait for him. The naive Butterfly believed that her beloved husband would return soon. Abandoned by her husband and relatives, Chio-Chio-San lives with Suzuki's maid and a young son, whose presence the lieutenant knows nothing about. The devoted Suzuki tried to convince her mistress, but Cio-Cio-San was adamant in her faith and love for Pinkerton. Suzuki said the funds left by the lieutenant were almost over. Cio-Cio-San burst into tears and was frightened, because if her husband did not return soon, then she would again have to return to the craft of a geisha in order to feed herself and her son.
Consul Sharpless and broker Goro appear on the scene. Goro came with Prince Yamadori, who has long dreamed of marrying Butterfly. She politely but firmly rejects the prince's offer. Consul Sharpless received a letter from Pinkerton, in which he announced that he would soon arrive in Japan, but not alone, but with his American wife. He reads the lieutenant's letter. Chio-Chio-San is very happy that her beloved has let him know about himself and returns. Sharpless informs Butterfly that Pinkerton is no longer her husband, but she does not believe and shows the consul her son.
A cannon shot sounds, announcing that a ship is entering the harbor. Butterfly runs out onto the terrace and looks carefully through the telescope. She sees that this is the ship of her beloved husband. Cio Cio San gives orders to decorate the house with flowers. Night comes, everyone falls asleep. Only Butterfly languishes in anticipation of her husband, changing into the dress she wore at her wedding.
Summary of III action
Morning is coming. The maid Suzuki and the baby are still asleep, while Cio-Cio-San stands motionless and looks at the sea. Noise is heard from the side of the harbor. Butterfly picks up his son and takes him to another room. Consul Sharpless, Lieutenant Pinkerton and his American wife Kat Pinkerton appear on the scene. Suzuki is the first to notice them, but does not dare to tell her mistress about them. Pinkerton deeply sings about parting with the house, where he was once happy. He leaves soon.
At this moment, Butterfly appears. Seeing Kat, she understands everything. In another room Sharpless explains to Pinkerton, accusing him of what he had done. Pinkerton hadn't expected Cio-Cio-San to take their marriage so seriously. They ask the maidservant Suzuki to explain everything to her mistress, and convince Butterfly to give them the boy. Suzuki gives her word that she will do everything in her power. Cio-Cio-San eventually realizes that she is no longer Pinkerton's wife. Suzuki convinces her to give them her son. Chio-Chio-san realizes that it will be better for the future life of her child. Kat Pinkerton has compassion for the unfortunate Japanese woman and promises to take good care of her child. In a dignified voice, Butterfly tells Kat that she can take her son if that is what his father, Pinkerton, wants.
Butterfly is left alone. She only blames herself for her ruined life. The Japanese woman decides that if she could not live with honor, then she must die with honor. Suzuki, realizing the intention of his mistress to commit seppuku (ritual suicide), sends her son to her. Chio-Chio-san kisses his son, brings him toys and gently blindfolds the boy.
Then Chio-Chio-san goes backstage and there kills himself with the wakizashi (dagger) of his father, who was always with her. She has the strength to hug and kiss her son for the last time. At that moment, an agitated Lieutenant Pinkerton runs into the room and calls for Butterfly. Cio-Cio-san dies, Pinkerton kneels beside her dead body.
