Synopsis Set in Nagasaki, Japan at the turn of the last century. The marriage from Pinkerton's point of view was a casual arrangement whilst he was in Japan. On the other hand his new wife regarded the arrangement as permanent and renounced both her family and religion. Pinkerton was recalled, and set sail for America. For three years Madam Butterfly was convinced he would return and refused an offer to marry a wealthy Japanese businessman, Prince Yamadori.
Japanese law holds that a husbands absence constitutes divorce.
She also bore Pinkerton's boy child. Eventually Pinkerton sent message via the American consul that he was to return together with his new American wife, Kate. Pinkerton's ship, the Abraham Lincoln duly arrives to the sound of the harbour cannon. Madame Butterfly decorates the house with flowers and sets down to await her husbands arrival with great excitement, blissfully unaware of the devastation to come. After waiting all night Madam Butterfly goes to rest, just as Pinkerton, Kate and the Consul arrive.