The Washington times., 1914-02-12
PUCCINrS OPERA ON
PATHETIC THEME
MADAME Butterfly" Is Tale of
Naval Officers Desertion of
Japanese Bride.

Madame Butterfly" the Puccini
opera to be given by the Chicago Grand
Opera Company at Polls Theater Fri
day afternoon, is adapted from the pa
thetic story of John Luther Long. of
the little Japanese girl, 'Cio-Cio-San,"
OF Butterfly who married d United
states naval officer and was deserted
by him.
Amer short introduction, based on
Japanese theme, the curtain rises on
quaint Japanese house terrace and gar
den on the hill overlooking the town and
harbor OF Nagasaki. In this setting lit
tie Butterfly marries Lieutenant Pink
erton, destroys the idols OF her ances-
tors, is deserted by her relatives, and
lett with Pinkerton, attended by no one
but her faithful maid, Suzuki. The cur
tain, falls on love scene.
The second act shows the inside Of
Butterny home several years later.
Tho faithful mad Suzuki Is still with
Butterfly, and, as the curtain rises, she
Is on her knees praying to Buddha. For
their last coins viii soon be used, and
they viii have nothing. Suzuki doubts
that Pinkerton WIN ever return, ana
tries TO persuade her mistress of the
nopelesSness OF ever seeing him again,
out butterfly Will not Listen, and even
Dramatically describes the return of he=
american consul at Nagasak, and
friend of Pinkerton and Butterfly, who
has watched the whole romance, ap-
pears in the garden with Goro, a jap
anese.
Butterfly greets him with enthusiasm.
but he has come to tell her bad news,
. nd urges her to marry wealthy Yama-
DON. She Indignantly refuses ana
when he reads her a letter from Pin
kerton she cannot even then see the
ghr kF
leaves. Pinkerton's ship is seen in the
harpor, and Butterfly eagerly dons her
wedding garments 10 await his coming
Suzuki and the baby boy gradually fan
asleep, but Butterfly keeps her watch
at the window. .-
In the next act Butterfly is still by
Lhe window, as morning dawns Voices
OF sailors are heard without; she
wakens Suzuki, lifts the baby from the
cushions, and carries him 20 the room
above. Poor Suzuki prays to Buddha,
and Pinkerton and Snarpless enter. She
tells them of the devotion Of Butterfiy.
then goes into the garden where Mrs.
Pinkerton is waiting. Unable to bear
the ordeal for which he had prepared
nInsei, P1nkerton gives Sharpless
money for Butterfly and leaves.
Suzuki and Mrs. Pinkerton enter, and
are met by Butterfly, who has heard
voices and comes in search of PInker-
ION. She sees Mrs. EInkertoa, and
Suesses the trUth-fainting in the arms
of Suzuki. Kate Pinkerton promises TO
care for the child and leaves with
Sharpless.
Butterfly orders Suzuki to close all
1f the doors and windows, and sends
her in search of the child While Suzuki
IS gone, she lights the lamp and bows
before the statue of Buddah. She re-
turns 10 the devotion of her ancestors.
suzuki enters and the little boy runs
TO his mother.
In wonderful scene she bids him
5ood-by, sits him on a little stool,
olindfolds him, and places a small
american flag in his hand She goes
behind screen and in a moment a
dagger falls to the ground. She totters
out, grasps the child in her arms, and
falls.
Pinkerton and Sharpless enter. and
Pinkerton falls on his knees beside the
Drostrate Butterfly. The curtain falls.