The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1909-01-20

AAttsS 81
palsadng drama, he invested ~ with
musical strains that VIII become Inn
smortal, h sS y
Madam Butterfly. relates the story
Of a geisha VINO, contrary to custom.
fell In 4ove with her American hus.
band" a lieutenant in tie navy. Pink
erton Is stationed In the 1owesy king
dom. He wants little wife 10 while
away his lonely hours. AS usual. she
Is to be but a playhirg to him. pref
ty and purring little kitten. which he
may thrust aside at any time ii suits
his fancy.
Pinkerton visits the American con-
sulate and makes mis- wishes known.
Contrary to the advice OF the consul
he commissions q marriage broker 20
bring all tie geishas before him. Lit.
tie Butterfly is selected. The wedding
takes place with all the interesting
pomp and glitter prescribed by Orien.
tai ritual.
BUTTERFLY, loves ipinkeTton' at first
sight. She has brought with her asfew
trinkets that girls prize, but she
throws them Nil away 90 an exprcs.
sion Of her devotion: oil ave dag
ger. This was the instrument b.
which ifr father took his own lie
upon the Invitation OF the Mikado But.
tenfly, rs by fatalisic instinct re-
taIns the dagger.
She renounces her family and re-
ligion, giving herself and all that ste
possesses to the man she loves. Short
~ after the ceremony the priest, nc.
comMnied BY all the relatives and
townspeople. comes upon the scene
and pronounces a curse upon her. all
because she loves Pinkerton unwIsely
and too well.
The second act shows Butterfly and
her: maid awaiting the arrival of Pink.
erton. Long ago he sailed away. In
response to her inquiry as ID his re-
turn he replied in American slang.
when the robins nest again." =
Butterfly. taking his words trust.
fully. makes anxious inquiry OF all who
know America as 10 tie exact season
Of The year when robins build their
nests In That far.away land. She alone
believes that pinkerton will return to
|. his wife and little child. which has
been born since his departure.
onh day she hears that the Ameri-
can fleet Is again In the narbor. This
is the day that he will return. With
the faithful maid she streHs the house
with rose leaves and decorates the
walls with peach blossoms in honor
uf his homecoming. Might falls and
they 81 by the window throughout the
dark hours watching the lights on the
ms. Still the trusting wife believes
that he Is coming.
Then the American consul calla.
She expects the announcement that
will make her .ecsntic with. Joy. The
consul announces ..shat "Pinkeron has
married an American wife. Ike Is
coming, but not to greet the little
geisha who has loved HIM The visit
Is for the purpose of claiming his 1T
\ tie son.
Butterfly in despair bllndfolds tle
little chap that he MAJ not see her
commit the terrible deed. Placing
him in the middle OF the room with m
American flag in his hand to welcome
his father. she steps behind the screen,
pulls out the dagger by waich her faith
er came to his death. stabs herself
and lies dead as Lieutenant PinkertOn
| and his American bride and the Amer
lean consul enter.
This Is without doubt one Of the
most human and tendarly pathetic
stories ever set to music. Puccini has
been equal TO uhe task. The result Is
a wonder work and has delighted the
. world.
This attraction Is the event of the
season and no douh lovers of opera
are rejoicing and an excellent produc.
ton Is assured. An interesting note
that will be OF interest Is that "Mah.
nm Butterfly" has never been produced
In America before at regular prices.
and the great cast includes well known
,y1 teSu