Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly
An opera (Tragedia giapponese) in three acts. Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, after David Belasco's play 'Madame Butterfly', based on J. Luther Long's story 'Madame Butterfly', partly based on Pierre Loti's tale 'Madame Chrisanthème'.
Milano, Teatro alla Scala, February 17, 1904 (in two acts).
Brescia, Teatro Grande, May 28, 1904 (in three acts).
London, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, July 10, 1905 (revised version).
Paris, Opéra, December 28, 1906 (final version).
Setting: Nagasaki 1900 - 1903
The events in brief
The new production for summer 2009 was one of the most popular works in operatic literature. While on leave in Nagasaki American Lieutenant Pinkerton falls in love with a Japanese girl called Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly). He wishes to amuse himself with her, but to ensure that her reputation is not sullied, he agrees to marry her. Just before the wedding Butterfly converts to Christianity and is cursed by her family. Pinktertone comforts her but soon returns to his homeland. For three years Butterfly waits for him, until at last he returns but with an American wife. When he hears that Butterfly now has a child, he sends his new wife to fetch the child, since he does not have the courage to face her in person. When the truth dawns on Butterfly, she says goodbye to her child and kills herself.