Puccini: Madama Butterfly Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly) - Japanese former geisha girl, to be married to Pinkerton - soprano Suzuki - her servant - mezzo-soprano B. F. Pinkerton - American naval lieutenant; to be married to Cio-Cio-San - tenor Kate Pinkerton - his later American wife - mezzo-soprano (Act III) Sharpless - American Consul in Nagasaki - baritone Goro - marriage broker - tenor The Bonzo - Cio-Cio-San's uncle, a Buddhist priest - bass (Act I) Prince Yamadori - wealthy suitor to Cio-Cio-San - baritone (Act II) Trouble - Cio-Cio-San's child by Pinkerton - non-singing role (Acts II-III) + Cio-Cio-San's mother, the Imperial Commisioner, the Official Registrar, Cio-Cio-San's relatives and friends, servants Time: beginning of 20th century; Place: Nagasaki, Japan Act I Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, a young U.S.

Navy lieutenant, has arranged with Goro, a marriage broker, to acquire a fifteen-year-old Japanese bride, Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly). Pinkerton takes a 999-year lease on a home overlooking Nagasaki harbor; this lease, as well as his marriage, can conveniently be canceled on a month's notice. Sharpless, the American Consul and a friend of Pinkerton's, arrives to witness the wedding. He warns Pinkerton not to treat the marriage lightly, as his bride-to-be is truly in love with him. Though Pinkerton claims to be infatuated with Butterfly, he proposes a toast to the American woman he will one day wed. Butterfly arrives for her wedding. She tells Sharpless that her family was once wealthy, but hard times forced her to become a geisha. After she admits that her father is dead, Goro tells Pinkerton that he committed ritual suicide at the Mikado's command. Butterfly's relatives arrive, and the wedding proceeds. The festivities are interrupted as the Bonze, Butterfly's uncle and a Buddhist priest, enters to denounce her for forsaking their ancestral religion. Pinkerton angrily orders the guests to leave.

He comforts the distraught Butterfly, and the newlyweds proclaim their love. Act II Pinkerton has been gone from Nagasaki for three years. Suzuki, Butterfly's devoted maid, fears that he will not keep his promise to return; yet Butterfly confidently and patiently awaits his homecoming. Sharpless arrives to read Butterfly a letter he received from Pinkerton, who has since taken an American wife. Goro, who ushers in Prince Yamadori, a potential suitor for Butterfly, interrupts him. When Sharpless finally reads Pinkerton's letter to Butterfly, she gradually realizes that she has been abandoned. She sends for her young son, Sorrow, sure that Pinkerton will return when he learns that he has a son. Butterfly insists that she would rather die than be a geisha again. Suddenly, a cannon booms in the harbor, signaling the arrival of Pinkerton's ship. Butterfly and Suzuki decorate the house and await Pinkerton's return in an all-night vigil. Act III Pinkerton, his wife Kate, and Sharpless arrive at Butterfly's house. They ask Suzuki to tell Butterfly that they wish to take Sorrow to live with them in America.

Butterfly enters, anxiously seeking Pinkerton, but he has fled in remorse. She meets Kate, and reluctantly agrees to surrender her child if Pinkerton will come for him in half an hour. Solemnly, Butterfly prepares for death. After bidding farewell to Sorrow, she commits suicide. Pinkerton rushes into the house, only to find Butterfly dead. (from New York City Opera Web site) Madama Butterfly | Opera Australia Madama Butterfly Capitol TheatreOctober 24 – November 4, 2017 Hide Dates and Prices Buy Tickets Silken arias and fragile butterfly wings float on the water. A young Japanese geisha falls head-over-heels in love with her new American husband. She believes their love is real, even after three years without so much as a word from him. Everyone around her knows the truth. They try to convince her to move on but she won't. She can't. Rejected by her past, and forgotten by the man she loves, she waits. Madama Butterfly is one of the world's most famous love stories and this legendary production has been performed in Sydney more than any other.

The set and costume design is inspired by Japan and the combination of wood, water, silk and flame is astonishingly elegant. Now it comes to the Capitol Theatre for a short season. Karah Son and Hyesoung Kwon sing Puccini's much-loved music, breathtakingly beautiful from first love to tragic end. Video Watch the Madama Butterfly trailer Photo Gallery Madama Butterfly at Arts Centre Melbourne in 2012 Audio Listen to 'Un bel di, vedremo' from Madama Butterfly Conductor * 24, 26, 28, 31 October; 2, 4 November at 7:30pm † 25, 27 October; 2 November at 7:30pm 29 October at 3pm Running time: approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes, including one interval. Sung in Italian with English surtitles. The Story Hide The American naval captain, Pinkerton is exploring the world in the name of pleasure. “Life is not worth living if I can’t win the best and fairest of each country,” he declares.

He sets his sights on the best and fairest of this land: the stunning Japanese beauty Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton is fascinated by her exotic beauty and marries her on sight, while Cio-Cio-San, enthralled by his American ways and promise of a modern life in America, falls wholeheartedly in love with the stranger. But Pinkerton already has a foot out the door, looking forward to the day he will marry “a real wife, a wife from America.” Years pass, and Cio-Cio-San waits faithfully for her husband’s return from distant shores. Long abandoned by her family, she is alone with her servant Suzuki and a living memento of her American love. She refuses all offers of marriage, singing of her great hope for the day Pinkerton will return. The faithful Suzuki tries in vain to convince her to abandon hope. But when his ship comes in, Pinkerton is not alone. As dawn breaks, what will become of Butterfly’s great hope?

Synopsis Hide Act I On a terrace above Nagasaki harbour, US Navy Lieutenant B F Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro, who has procured for him a geisha wife known as Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San). To the American Consul, Sharpless, who arrives breathless from climbing the hill, Pinkerton describes his carefree philosophy of a sailor roaming the world in search of pleasure. For the moment, he is enchanted with the fragile Cio-Cio-San and intends to undergo a marriage ceremony with her — a 999-year contract, but subject to monthly renewal. When Sharpless warns that the girl may not take her vows so lightly, the lieutenant brushes aside such scruples, adding that he will one day take a ‘real’ American wife. Cio-Cio-San is heard in the distance joyously singing of her wedding day. After she has entered, surrounded by her friends, she tells Pinkerton how, when her family fell on hard times, she had to earn her living as a geisha. Soon her relatives arrive and noisily express their opinions of the marriage.

In a quiet moment, Cio-Cio-San shows the bridegroom her little store of possessions, one of which she hides from public view. Goro explains that it is a sheathed knife which the Mikado sent to Butterfly’s father, with the ‘invitation’ to commit hara-kiri —which he obeyed. Butterfly confesses to Pinkerton that she, on the previous evening, secretly went to the Mission and adopted the religion of her new husband. The wedding ceremony completed, the guests toast the couple. Suddenly Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a priest, bursts upon the scene, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors’ religion. Pinkerton angrily orders the priest and family to leave. Alone with his bride, he dries her tears in the moonlit garden, where they discover the depths of their love. Act II Three years later, Cio-Cio-San still waits for her husband’s return. Suzuki prays to her gods for aid. The maid shows Cio-Cio-San how little money is left but is told to have faith: one fine day Pinkerton’s ship will appear on the horizon. Sharpless is announced.

He has not seen her since the wedding, and Butterfly receives him with joy. He has come with a letter from Pinkerton asking him tactfully to inform Butterfly of his marriage with an American woman, but his attempts to tell her the contents of the letter are frustrated by her constant questions about Pinkerton. Had Pinkerton not said that he would return ‘in the season when the robins are nesting?’ In Japan, she remarks, ‘the robins have already nested three times, but perhaps in America these birds behave differently?’ ‘I never studied ornithology,’ replies Sharpless. Goro, who has been lurking outside, brings in a suitor for her hand. The girl dismisses the wealthy Prince Yamadori, insisting that her American husband has not deserted her. When they are alone, Sharpless again starts to read her the letter and suggests as tactfully as he can that Pinkerton may never return. Cio-Cio-San proudly shows him her child, insisting that as soon as Pinkerton knows of his son he will surely come back, though if he does not she would rather die than return to her former life. Moved by her devotion and lacking the heart to tell her of the lieutenant’s marriage, Sharpless leaves.

Cio-Cio-San, on the point of despair, hears a cannon report; and watches Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbour. Delirious with joy, she orders Suzuki to help her strew the house with flower petals. Then, as night falls, Cio-Cio-San, Suzuki and the child begin their vigil, awaiting Pinkerton’s arrival. As dawn breaks, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San rests. Humming a lullaby to her child, she carries him to another room. Knocking is heard: it is Pinkerton and Sharpless, with Pinkerton’s wife, Kate, remaining discreetly outside. They have come, they explain to the startled Suzuki, so early in the morning in the hope of finding her alone and of enlisting her support in persuading Butterfly to accept Kate’s offer to adopt the child. Pinkerton, overcome with remorse, bids an anguished farewell to the scene of his former happiness and rushes away. Meanwhile Suzuki has gone into the garden to speak to Kate and, moved by her sincerity, she promises to convey to her mistress her offer to adopt the child.

Butterfly rushes into the room in joyful expectation to find Pinkerton, but is taken aback when she sees only Sharpless and a foreign lady. She takes only a moment to guess the truth. She agrees to give up her child if the father will return for him. Then, she takes the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Just as she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Tearfully she bids him a last farewell. With solemn ritual, she stabs herself as Pinkerton’s anxious cries ‘Butterfly! Butterfly!’ are heard from outside. Madama Butterfly | The Opera 101 The Opera 101 Fill out the fields below to contact us! Your name * Recordings About Madama Butterfly is Puccini at his most restrained. A single setting, a relatively simple plot, and a strongly drawn lead pair around whom the narrative spins. There are a fair number of smaller roles, but don’t worry about keeping track of them, especially all of Butterfly’s relatives - even Puccini unnamed some of them while revising the story.

There is also very limited chorus action, so if you are familiar with other Puccini operas, such as Turandot , don’t go in expecting such spectacle, you may be disappointed. Madama Butterfly at the Royal Opera House That said, it’s a highly accessible and listenable opera, much more so than Turandot on the first go, and there are plenty of top draw tunes to be heard. Pick of the bunch, at least in fame terms, is “Un Bel Di Vedremo,” which means “One good day, we will see.” This gets wheeled out by many a soprano for recital purposes but in context, right at the start of Act II, it’s as sad as it is beautiful. The tenor’s music is somewhat less subtle and in fact rather potently blunt. The first big number of the evening is the absolutely thriling tune “Dovunque al mondo,” or “Throughout the world.” It is built on top of “The Star Spangled Banner”, which you should be able to pick out fairly easily in the clip below.

The opening passage of Dovunque al mondo Other highlights include the endings of all three acts which comprise an extended love duet, a beautiful chorus, and an operatic staple, the suicide aria. Characters Cio-Cio San’s maid. Fiercely loyal to Butterfly and vastly more aware of the tragedy unfolding. The Bonze Bass Cio-Cio San’s Uncle. A small role only, he only briefly appears to chastise Cio-Cio San for abandoning her religion in converting to Pinkerton’s Christianity. Synopsis Act I - Running Time: 55 mins The curtain rises on Lieutenant Pinkerton and Goro inspecting the house that Pinkerton has leased in Nagasaki while he is stationed in Japan. Goro shows him around, there’s much fuss made over the sliding walls, and introduces him to the household staff including Suzuki, Butterfly’s maid. Sharpless, the US Consul, arrives, all out of breath from climbing the hill to the house. They discuss Pinkerton’s situation and the topic of Butterfly soon arises.

Sharpless warns Pinkerton that Butterfly is taking the marriage very seriously but Pinkerton dismisses these concerns with a good whack of American bravura and whiskey (in the roistering good tune “Dovunque al mondo”). Despite his Butterfly infatuation, he is already thinking of his future American bride. The scene is set for our tragedy! Lando Bartolini sings "Dovunque al mondo" We hear Madam Butterfly for the first time. She is coming up the hill full of joy for her impending wedding. She arrives with her friends and approaches Pinkerton. In the ensuing dialogue we learn that Butterfly comes from a wealthy family but now makes a living working as a Geisha, which it should be pointed out doesn’t mean prostitute. Butterfly arrives, San Antonio Opera The relatives all arrive and amongst much wittering it becomes clear there is some serious friction. Pinkerton delivers yet more crass lines about how brief he is expecting the marriage to be, whilst Butterfly professes to her family how deeply she is in love. Just before the wedding Butterfly tells Pinkerton that she has converted to Christianity for him and shows him some of her most important possessions including a box whose contents she will not reveal.

Goro tells him it contains the dagger that was sent to her father from the Mikado to commit seppuku (a rather nasty form of suicide that’s meant to maintain one’s honour). The wedding begins and ends rather efficiently and Sharpless, offering one final warning to Pinkerton about Butterfly’s love, leaves the party. The celebrations don’t last long before Butterfly’s uncle, the Bonze, storms in and starts hurling insults. He has learned of her conversion and curses her for it. Pinkerton tries to protect her and in the process all the rest of the relatives turn on her, leaving with few good words said. We now move into epic love duet mode with “Bimba, Bimba, non piangere” which takes us all the way to the interval. Pinkerton consoles Butterfly and the two get entirely mushy for several minutes. He describes her as a butterfly and she worries because she has heard they pin butterfly’s wings to tables in the West. He dispels her fears and the Act closes as they leave to consummate their marriage... Catherine Malfitano & Richard Leech sing the love duet Act II - Running Time: 50 mins 3 Years have passed and Pinkerton is long gone.

Butterfly is running desperately short of money and believing Pinkerton will return, as he said he would, refuses to marry again. She sings the very famous “Un Bel Di Vedremo”, her dream of how Pinkerton will return. Renata Tebaldi as Butterfly Sharpless and Goro arrive. Sharpless wishes to read Butterfly a letter from Pinkerton but has no luck, as Goro is in the process of urging her to marry Prince Yamadori, a very wealthy man with multiple wives. Butterfly quickly rejects him. She is still married she says, under American law if not Japanese. Offended, Yamadori and Goro leave. Sharpless returns to the letter, in which Pinkerton tries to prepare Butterfly for his return including the fact that he has remarried. Butterfly gets overexcited at the idea of his return and Sharpless tries to convince her of the reality of the situation in as gentle a manner as possible. She gets upset and brings out her blond-haired, blue-eyed son. Ana María Martínez as Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera This comes as a bit of a shock to Sharpless, and he asks if Pinkerton knows of his son.

He doesn’t, Butterfly says, and she want to send him a letter. Sharpless, dejected, promises to do so, and leaves. Susuki appears dragging Goro, who has been hiding. Goro shouts abuse at Butterfly, calling her son a bastard (in the old-fashioned sense of the word). She almost stabs Goro with her dagger but he flees. A cannon shot is heard. A ship has entered the harbour. Butterfly looks down and sees it is the Abraham Lincoln, Pinkerton’s ship. Cue a lot of flower throwing and general preparation for his arrival. Suzuki, Butterfly and her son settle down for a long night waiting, accompanied by the beautiful Coro a bocca chiusa, or “Humming Chorus”. The Humming Chorus, Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, 1955, conducted by Herbert von Karajan Act III - Running Time: 35 mins The night has passed and Suzuki and the child are asleep. Butterfly remains awake, waiting in silence. In the background sailors are heard and the sun finally rises. Butterfly puts her son to bed and falls asleep herself.

Kate Pinkerton arrives, Cincinnati Opera Pinkerton and Sharpless arrive with Kate, Pinkerton’s American wife. Suzuki meets them and upon seeing Pinkerton’s new wife in the garden, she collapses in shock. Pinkerton is his usual insensitive self, but Sharpless tells Suzuki that whilst they can do nothing for Butterfly, Kate would like to adopt the child. Suzuki goes to speak with Kate and Pinkerton selfishly sings of his own distress, admitting he is too much of a coward to face Butterfly. He flees, but Kate stays to reassure Suzuki that she will care for the child as her own. Butterfly awakens and calls for Suzuki. She sees her maid crying and asks why, but then notices Sharpless and the mystery woman in the garden. She realises Pinkerton is not coming back. She agrees to hand over the child if and only if Pinkerton returns in half an hour to pick him up himself. Butterfly sends Suzuki away, prays and prepares to take her own life with her father’s blade. Her son enters and Butterfly now more composed hugs him close and tells him not to be sad at his mother abandoning him.

She blindfolds him and gives him a little American flag to wave as his father returns. She takes the knife and stabs herself. As she falls dead the cries of Pinkerton are heard offstage... Butterfly! Butterfly! Madama Butterfly - San Diego Opera Madama Butterfly MADAMA BUTTERFLY by Giacomo Puccini Hope, devotion, and betrayal find their fateful and desperate home in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Amidst the cherry blossoms of Nagasaki, a young woman makes a stand to support herself as a geisha after her disgraced father takes his life. Fate intervenes and brings her an American Naval Officer and she falls desperately in love. Not aware she is just a dalliance, she believes they are married and renounces her religion as he sails away promising to return. And return he does, ready to take their child and raise him with his American wife. Her father’s shadow looms as her heart breaks and she must choose to live with dishonor or die with honor. The music of Madama Butterfly is passionate, poignant and haunting, and will stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre.

All performances at the San Diego Civic Theatre 2 hours 45 minutes with one intermission In Italian with projected English supertitles - Learn more » Cast Thursday, April 7, 2016 Meet Teodor Illincai Our Pinkerton for this production of Madama Butterfly is Romanian tenor Teodor Ilincai. In this interview he talks about the role and, most interestingly, where his love of music and singing came from. This delightful young tenor has a budding career in Europe already, and with this production he is making his U.S. debut. Thursday, April 7, 2016 Meet Latonia Moore Soprano Latonia Moore, our Aida in the 2013 Season, returns to sing the role of Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly. Here she speaks about her life and career since then as well as her outlook on trends in American opera. Tuesday, April 5, 2016 Meet J'nai Bridges Mezzo-soprano J'nai Bridges plays the role of Cio Cio San's maid, Suzuki, in our production of Madama Butterfly.

Her background is fascinating (from sports to opera!), her conservatory training exemplary and her voice is...luscious! Enjoy this interview. Thursday, March 31, 2016 Meet Anthony Clark Evans, baritone Fresh from the Ryan Center for young artists at Chicago Lyric Opera, Kentucky native Anthony Clark Evans is a singer with a big career ahead of him. He's making his role debut as Sharpless, the American consul, in Madama Butterfly. In this interview with Nic Reveles he talks about his experience as a singer so far and assesses the role in approaching it as a young artist. SUGGESTED MEDIA: MADAMA BUTTERFLY CDs Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Christa Ludwig, Robert Kerns, Herbert Von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. DECCA Leontyne Price, Richard Tucker, Rosalind Elias, Philip Maero, Erich Leinsdorf conducting the RCA Italiana Orchestra. RCA Angela Gheorghiu, Jonas Kaufmann, Enkelejda Shkosa, Fabio Capitanucci, Antonio Pappano conducting the Orcestra and Chorus of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

WARNER CLASSICS DVDs Mirella Freni, Plácido Domingo, Christa Ludwig, Herbert Von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Patricia Racette, Marcello Giordani, Maria Zifchak, Dwayne Croft, Patrick Summers conducting the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet. SONY Alexia Voulgaridou, Teodor Illincai, Cristina Damina, Lauri Vasar, Alexander Joel conducting the Philharmoniker Hamburg and the Chorus of the Staatsoper Hamburg. ARTHAUS Musik (You will need an all-region Blu-ray player for this item) MADAMA BUTTERFLY Act I In the American Consulate in Nagasaki, Goro, a marriage broker, explains the features of a local home to the U.S. Navy Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, who recently leased the place for 999 years, with the option to cancel the contract with a month’s notice. As part of the deal, Pinkerton receives three servants and takes a geisha wife known as Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San).

The American Consul, Sharpless, arrives and Pinkerton explains his philosophy of life—a navy man’s life of pleasure, roaming the seas in search of adventure with a girl in every port. Sharpless cautions the officer that Cio-Cio-San may not take their wedding vows as lightly as he. Pinkerton dismisses the Consul’s warnings and toasts the day he takes a “real” American wife. Cio-Cio-San arrives and explains to Sharpless and Pinkerton that her family was once wealthy, but lost their status. Goro tells them that her father committed suicide on the instructions of the Mikado. Naively but with no shame, she informs the men she became a geisha to stay alive. Cio-Cio-San shows her future husband her meager belongings and humbly declares that, as the ultimate sign of her love, she has converted to the Christian faith. The wedding is brief, more like a business deal. The post-wedding celebration is interrupted by the arrival of the Bonze, Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a Buddhist priest who berates the young girl for betraying her people and her religion.

Pinkerton angrily orders the Bonze and the other guests away and turns to his new wife to console her, drying her tears as night falls. Act II Three years have passed since Pinkerton left Nagasaki, and Cio-Cio-San pines for his return. Realizing they have little money left, Suzuki prays to the gods for aid and warns Cio-Cio-San that unless her husband returns, there’ll be nothing but trouble. Cio-Cio-San scolds Suzuki for her lack of faith and confidently predicts that one fine day his ship will appear on the horizon. Sharpless arrives with the intention of reading to her a recent letter from Pinkerton. Starved for company and brimming with questions, Cio-Cio-San doesn’t allow Sharpless to read the letter. His task is further frustrated by Goro, who hovers outside with the Prince Yamadori, the latest in a long line of suitors hoping for the young woman’s hand. Cio-Cio-San scoffs at Yamadori’s offer and dismisses him and Goro. Once they are gone, Sharpless finally resumes reading the letter to Cio-Cio-San, who excitedly interrupts at the end of every hopeful sentence.

Unable to cope with her reactions, Sharpless puts the letter away and bluntly asks her what she would do if Pinkerton never returned. Slowly realizing what Sharpless means, Cio-Cio-San rushes out of the room, returning with Pinkerton’s child. She insists Sharpless tell Pinkerton about the boy, optimistic he will return once he knows about his baby. Sharpless, distraught over Cio-Cio-San’s condition, leaves with a promise to pass along her message. A cannon shot is heard from the harbor. Cio-Cio-San sees Pinkerton’s ship. Excitedly, she and Suzuki strew flowers everywhere. Cio-Cio-San changes into her wedding gown and obi so that Pinkerton will see her the way she was on that memorable day. The family waits. Act III As dawn breaks, Suzuki awakens. Pinkerton has not come to the house. Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San get some rest, promising to stir her if Pinkerton arrives. Suzuki is startled by the arrival of Sharpless with Pinkerton. An unknown woman waits outside. Suzuki insists on knowing who she is. Pinkerton cannot bring himself to answer.

Finally Sharpless responds: she is Pinkerton’s wife, Kate. Sharpless begs the distraught Suzuki to ask Cio-Cio-San to give up the child so that he might be taken to America. Overcome by guilt, Pinkerton cannot face his Japanese wife and flees the home. Cio-Cio-San breathlessly enters, sensing her husband has arrived. Searching every corner, she cannot find Pinkerton but sees Kate. Instinctively, she knows this woman is Pinkerton’s wife. Cio-Cio-San agrees to surrender her child, but only if Pinkerton himself comes to pick him up. Ordering Suzuki away, Cio-Cio-San picks up the dagger her father used to commit suicide and reads the inscription on the blade: “Let him die with honor who can no longer live with honor.” MADAMA BUTTERFLY Acto I En el Consulado Americano en Nagasaki, el casamentero Goro describe al teniente naval norteamericano B.F. Pinkerton las características de la casa que éste acaba de alquilar por 99 años con la opción de rescindir el contrato con un mes de previo aviso.

Como parte del acuerdo, Pinkerton recibe a tres sirvientes y toma a una esposa geisha conocida como Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San). Llega Sharpless, el cónsul norteamericano, y Pinkerton explica su filosofía de vida: la vida de placeres de un hombre naval, de recorrer el alta mar en busca de aventuras con una muchacha en cada puerto. Sharpless advierte al oficial que Cio-Cio-San quizás no tome sus votos matrimoniales con la misma levedad que él. Pinkerton desecha las advertencias del cónsul y brinda por el día en que se casará con una “verdadera” esposa americana. Llega Cio-Cio-San y explica a Sharpless y Pinkerton que su familia alguna vez fue adinerada pero que llegaron a perder su posición social. Goro les cuenta que el padre de Cio-Cio-San se suicidó bajo órdenes del Mikado.

Con ingenuidad pero sin vergüenza, Cio-Cio-San cuenta a los hombres que ella llegó a ser geisha para poder sobrevivir. Cio-Cio-San muestra a su futuro esposo sus pocas pertenencias y declara con humildad que, para demostrar la profundidad de su amor, ella se ha convertido a la fe cristiana. La boda es breve, más parecida a un trato comercial. La celebración que sigue a la boda se ve interrumpida por la llegada del Bonzo, sacerdote budista y tío de Cio-Cio-San quien reprende a la muchacha por traicionar a su gente y a su religión. Pinkerton reacciona y obliga a marcharse al Bonzo, al igual que a los otros invitados, y se acerca a consolar a su nueva esposa, secando sus lágrimas mientras cae la noche. Acto II Han pasado tres años desde que Pinkerton zarpó de Nagasaki, y Cio-Cio-San anhela su retorno. Notando que les queda poco dinero, Suzuki ora y pide ayuda a los dioses.

Advierte a Cio-Cio-San que de no regresar su esposo, no habrá más que problemas. Cio-Cio-San reprende a Suzuki por su falta de fe y predice con confianza que un buen día el barco de Pinkerton aparecerá en el horizonte. Llega Sharpless con la intención de leer a Cio-Cio-San una carta reciente de Pinkerton. Desesperada por la falta de afecto y llena de preguntas, Cio-Cio-San impide la lectura de la carta. La tarea de Sharpless se ve frustrada aun más por Goro, quien merodea afuera con el Príncipe Yamadori, el último en una larga fila de pretendientes que esperan casarse con la muchacha. Cio-Cio-San se burla de la oferta de Yamadori y lo despide a él y a Goro. Cuando se retiran, Sharpless finalmente retoma la lectura de la carta a Cio-Cio-San, quien interrumpe animada y esperanzadamente el final de cada oración.

Incapaz de soportar sus reacciones, Sharpless guarda la carta y le pregunta abruptamente qué haría si Pinkerton no regresara nunca. Dándose cuenta de lo que Sharpless intenta comunicar, Cio-Cio-San se retira apresuradamente del cuarto y regresa con el hijo de Pinkerton. Insiste en que Sharpless informe a Pinkerton acerca del niño, convencida de que Pinkerton regresará cuando se entere de la existencia de su hijo. Sharpless no puede soportar el sufrimiento de Cio-Cio-San y se despide con la promesa de transmitir a Pinkerton su mensaje. Se escucha un disparo de cañón desde el puerto. Cio-Cio-San ve el barco de Pinkerton. Cio-Cio-San y Suzuki, emocionadas, desparraman flores por la habitación. Cio-Cio-San se viste con su vestido de boda y la faja tradicional para que Pinkerton la vea de la misma forma en que estaba en aquel día memorable. La familia espera. Acto III Al amanecer, Suzuki despierta.

Pinkerton no ha venido a casa. Tras la insistencia de Suzuki y la promesa de ésta de despertarla si llega Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-San se ha acostado agotada. Suzuki se sobresalta por la llegada de Sharpless con Pinkerton. Una mujer desconocida espera afuera. Suzuki insiste en saber quién es. Pinkerton no encuentra forma de responder. Finalmente, Sharpless contesta: es Kate, la esposa de Pinkerton. Sharpless ruega a la desconsolada Suzuki que le pida a Cio-Cio-San entregar al niño para que su padre pueda llevarlo a los Estados Unidos. Estremecido por un profundo sentimiento de culpa, Pinkerton no encuentra el valor para encarar a su esposa japonesa y huye de la casa. Entra Cio-Cio-San, sin aliento; percibe la llegada de su esposo. Lo busca en cada rincón; no encuentra a Pinkerton pero ve a Kate. Instintivamente, sabe que es la esposa de Pinkerton.

Cio-Cio-San acepta entregar a su hijo, con la condición de que el mismo Pinkerton venga a buscarlo. Ordena marcharse a Suzuki. Cio-Cio-San levanta el puñal que su padre utilizó para suicidarse, en el cual está grabado: “Deja morir dignamente a quien ya no puede vivir dignamente”. Translated to Spanish by Ana C. Martinez and Claudio Luchina MADAMA BUTTERFLY POST-OPERA CAST PARTY Saturday, April 16 at 10:30pm The US Grant Hotel Join us immediately following the opening night performance when we’ll journey a few short blocks to The US Grant. We’ll meet the artists from Madama Butterfly and enjoy a wine and champagne reception with light hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Post-Opera Cast Party tickets are $75 per person. ADD TO YOUR TICKET ORDER TODAY!

TASTE OF OPERA Special Event: ADDRESS: 2512 Via de la Valle, Suite 102, Solana Beach, CA 92075 COST: $49 per person DIRECTIONS: From I-5 San Diego Fwy: Take the Via de la Valle exit, EXIT 36; Go West onto County Hwy-S8/Via de la Valle for less than 1 mile; Your destination is just past Pimlico Dr in same plaza as Pamplemousse (if you reach Del Mar Downs Rd you've gone a little too far) PARKING: Ample free parking in plaza parking lots Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the story of a geisha torn between tradition and desire through passionate, poignant and haunting, musical scores. Nicolas unfolds the tale while Katherine shares the art of Japanese cuisine. Recipes: Miso Soup with Garlic and Ginger; Salmon and Avocado Sushi Rolls; Togarashi Grilled Steak with Kabocha Squash Rice; Pickled Cucumber and Wakame; Green Tea Ice Cream and Butter Cookies. All dishes are gluten free.

STARS IN THE SALON Madama Butterfly - April 7, 2016 at 5:30pm Join the stars of Madama Butterfly in Stars in the Salon. This is a thrilling experience for anyone who loves opera. We welcome our distinguished guest panels for a provocative look at the music, characters and behind-the-scenes work which is so important to each production. The Civic Theatre’s beautiful Beverly Sills Salon acts as the setting for this enjoyable discussion where audience members have a chance to meet the stars and ask their own questions of the leading singers, conductors and directors first hand! All sessions are open to the public and free of charge. Madama Butterfly | Union Avenue Opera Union Avenue Opera Libretto by Luigi and Giuseppe Giacosa World Première at La Scala in Milan, Italy on February 17, 1904 July 12, 13, 19, and 20 Performed in Italian Nagasaki, Japan, early 20th century. On a terrace above Nagasaki harbor, U.S. Navy Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro.

He has just procured three servants and a geisha wife, Cio–Cio–San (Madama Butterfly). U.S. Counsul, Sharpless, arrives at the American consul in Nagasaki. Pinkerton describes the carefree philosophy of a sailor roaming the world in search of pleasure. At the moment he is enchanted with the fragile Cio–Cio–San, but his 999–year marriage contract contains a monthly renewal option. When Sharpless warns that the girl may not take her vows so lightly, Pinkerton brushes aside such scruples, saying he will one day marry a “real” American wife. Cio–Cio–San is heard in the distance joyously singing of her wedding. Cio–Cio–San enters with her friends. She tells Pinkerton how her family had fallen on hard times, and she had to earn her living as a geisha. Her relatives bustle in, noisily expressing their opinions on the marriage. In a quiet moment, Cio–Cio–San shows Pinkerton her few earthly treasures and confides in him her intention to embrace his Christian faith. The Imperial Commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, and the guests toast the couple.

The celebration is interrupted by the Bonze, Cio–Cio–San’s uncle who is a Buddhist priest, as he bursts into the room and curses Cio–Cio–San for renouncing her ancestors’ religion. Pinkerton angrily sends the guests away. Alone with Cio–Cio–San in the moonlit garden, he dries her tears, and she joins him in singing of their love. ACT II – Scene I Three years later Cio–Cio–San waits for her husband’s return while her maid, Suzuki, prays to her gods for aid. Cio–Cio–San waits with her eyes fixed on the harbor. When the maid shows her how little money is left, Cio–Cio–San urges her to have faith — one fine day Pinkerton’s ship will appear on the horizon. Sharpless brings a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Cio–Cio–San, Goro comes with a suitor, the wealthy Prince Yamadori. The girl dismisses both marriage broker and prince, insisting her American husband has not deserted her. When they are alone, Sharpless again starts to read the letter and suggests Pinkerton may not return.

Cio–Cio–San proudly carries forth her child, Dolore (“Sorrow”), saying that as soon as Pinkerton knows he has a son he surely will come back. If he does not return, she would rather die than go back to her former life as a geisha. Moved by her devotion, Sharpless leaves without having revealed the full contents of the letter. Cio–Cio–San, on the brink of despair, hears a cannon’s report. She grabs a spyglass and observes Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbor. Now delirious with joy, she orders Suzuki to help her fill the house with flowers. As night falls, Cio–Cio–San, Suzuki, and the child begin their vigil. ACT II – Scene II The next morning As dawn breaks, Suzuki insists that Cio–Cio–San rest. She carries her child to another room, singing a lullaby. Before long, Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new American wife. When Suzuki realizes who the woman is, she collapses in despair but agrees to aid in breaking the news to her mistress.

Pinkerton, seized with remorse, bids an anguished farewell to the scene of his former happiness then rushes away. When Cio–Cio–San comes forth expecting to find him, she finds Kate instead. Guessing the truth, the shattered Cio–Cio–San agrees to give up her child if his father will return for him. Then, sending even Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide and bows before a statue of Buddha, choosing to die with honor rather than live in disgrace. As she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Sobbing farewell, Cio–Cio–San sends him into the garden to play, then stabs herself. As she dies, Pinkerton returns to see the final consequences of his actions. adapted from Opera News B.F. Pinkerton | U.S. Navy | ZoomInfo.com B.F. Pinkerton - Lieutenant, U.S. Navy ......... B.F. Pinkerton B.F. Pinkerton - Dinyar Vania ... In Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly, Cio-Cio-San, a teenage geisha is wooed by B.F.

Pinkerton, a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, an original "Ugly American" whose intentions are duplicitous at best. ... To any modern sensibility, Pinkerton is a real stinker. Story: [cached] Story: B.F. Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan in the early 20th century, leases a house in Nagasaki from a marriage broker named Goro. Through Goro he also enters into a marital agreement, which can be renewed monthly, with a 15-year-old geisha girl, Cio-Cio-San ("Butterfly"). Sharpless, the American counsul, advises Pinkerton that Cio-Cio-San may take the arrangement more seriously than Pinkerton, who considers Cio-Cio-San merely a dalliance until he marries a "real" American wife. Story: [cached] Story: B.F. Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan in the early 20th century, leases a house in Nagasaki from a marriage broker named Goro.

Through Goro he also enters into a marital agreement, which can be renewed monthly, with a 15-year-old geisha girl, Cio-Cio-San ("Butterfly"). Sharpless, the American counsul, advises Pinkerton that Cio-Cio-San may take the arrangement more seriously than Pinkerton, who considers Cio-Cio-San merely a dalliance until he marries a "real" American wife. B.F. Pinkerton B.F. Pinkerton, Lieutenant in the United States Navy ... This production will reflect that as historical fact, not just as a cold-blooded act on the part of the opera's main male character, Lieutenant Pinkerton, who 'marries' and then falls in love with the geisha, Cio-Cio-San. ... In Nagasaki, around 1900, outside a little house for which Pinkerton, an American naval officer, has taken a 999-year lease preparatory to a wedding, arranged by marriage broker Goro, to a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-San. The American consul reveals that according to Japanese law the marriage will not be legally binding, but warns Pinkerton that his bride-to-be is serious about the marriage.

Butterfly enters, surrounded by friends and family, singing about the love that awaits her greets Pinkerton shyly and an official performs the wedding ceremony. Then her uncle, the Bonze, arrives and curses her for converting to Christianity, following which her family and friends abruptly reject her for her wedding night. The couple sing a duet about the love they are sure will follow. Pinkerton is charmed by his with a fluttering, captured butterfly. Act II, Scene 1 The same house, several years later. Butterfly and Suzuki are there but Pinkerton has long since returned to America. Butterfly sings about how one fine day ('Un bel di') her husband will come back for her . Sharpless, knowing that Pinkerton has already taken an American wife, attempts to prepare for the worst. But Butterfly will not listen, remaining blissfully hopeful about his shows Sharpless the child she has borne Pinkerton, sure that this fact will bring him back. A cannon is heard, announcing the arrival of an American ship. Butterfly joyfully prepares her home for Pinkerton's return, bringing in flowers and putting on her bridal gown.

As night falls, Suzuki and the child fall asleep but Butterfly, motionless, waits for Pinkerton. In the distance the famous 'humming chorus' is heard. Act II, Scene 2 Dawn. Butterfly, not having moved, has fallen asleep. Suzuki wakes her and carries the sleeping child to the next room. Pinkerton and Sharpless arrive and ask Suzuki to greet Pinkerton's wife Kate. Seeing Suzuki's distress at this, Pinkerton's memories of his never-forgotten time with Cio-Cio-San, fill him with remorse ('Addio fiorito asil') and he leaves rather than face her . Butterfly rushes in, eagerly looking for Pinkerton, but sees only a strange woman in the garden. Suzuki and Sharpless break the news about Pinkerton's American marriage, telling her Interview: David Rain, Author Of 'The Heat Of The Sun' | 'Heat' Imagines Life After 'Butterfly' : NPR Independent Booksellers The second act of Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly opens with the aching aria "Un Bel Di," one of the most famous in the Italian repertoire.

Onstage, an abandoned young woman sings longingly for "one fine day" when her lover might return to her and their young son in Nagasaki, Japan. The story takes a tragic turn when the woman — Madame Butterfly — learns that her beloved American, Lt. Pinkerton, finally has returned, only to take their son away to America with his new wife. Before the curtain falls, Madame Butterfly blindfolds her young son and takes her own life. And that's where the story ends. It leaves opera fans like author David Rain wondering what happened to that little boy. "The question lodged in my mind, and here I am with my answer," he says. Rain is the author of a new book, The Heat of the Sun, which imagines the lives of Madama Butterfly's characters years later. As the book begins, Trouble, the son of Butterfly and Pinkerton, is a boarding school student in America. Rain tells NPR's Rachel Martin what happened to Trouble after he left Japan with his father. Article continues after sponsorship Interview Highlights On Pinkerton's background, back in the U.S., a few years later "Well, [Trouble's] father, for one thing, has become a rather important man back in America. He's now Sen.

Pinkerton; his wife, Kate — in my version of the story — comes from a very important political family. Her own father was a Democrat senator for New York. And when she married the naval lieutenant, he was, as it were, taken into the family firm, and so he is now a senator himself. He's quite an important man — he's a rising man in the political world — and so, what his son is like and what his son does actually does matter. But, of course, this boy has not turned out to be quite the ideal son. He is constantly getting into trouble, as we said." On Woodley Sharpless, the narrator of the story "Well, Woodley Sharpless is the son of Sharpless, who was the American consul in Nagasaki in the original Madama Butterfly. And that character, the consul, really can only just stand by while the tragedy unfolds. He sees what's happening, he sees how terrible it is, but there's nothing he can really do about it. And my character, Woodley Sharpless, is similarly a kind of bystander character." Antony Heaven/Henry Holt and Company David Rain teaches creative writing at Middlesex University in London.

Antony Heaven/Henry Holt and Company On the relationship between Woodley and Trouble, and whether it's meant to echo the Butterfly-Pinkerton love story "Yes, I think it is, in that the character Woodley clearly is in love with Trouble, but Trouble isn't in love with him. Trouble has his own issues and his own things to deal with, which include, in particular, things related to his past in Japan. And so, they are never going to end up together in the end of the story — I don't think that's giving anything away to say that. But it's the very intensity of Woodley's gaze at Trouble, as it were, that I think is important in the way the book is narrated. And one of the things he has to learn as he goes on, is that, well, everything we want in life, we don't get." On criticisms of Madama Butterfly "I think you can't help but think about that when you approach this story today. It can certainly be seen as a racist text — it can also be seen as a sexist one as well. It's the classic woman-dies-in-the-end story: Madama Butterfly.

But I thought there were also other ways of looking at it. Madama Butterfly could be seen as an allegory of imperialism; it's the clash between East and West, yes — but it's not the case that West is good and East is bad, as it were. We're not supposed to be on Pinkerton's side at the end of the story. "It's not that he's a villain — I don't think there really are any villains in Madame Butterfly. I think it's a tragedy of misunderstanding, really, rather than anybody actually being evil. I think ultimately she is the victor in the story. Everybody else is left shattered. That was something I trying to explore in my book — that certainly the Pinkerton character, he is in many ways devastated by what has happened; so is his wife, so is his son.

They live with the fallout of this for the rest of their lives." Madama Butterfly Synopsis - Puccini's Famous Opera Madama Butterfly Synopsis Madama Butterfly Synopsis The Sad Story of a Devoted Wife in 3 Acts Bonsi, played by Jan Opalach, takes center stage to express his disapproval of the impending marriage of Cio-Cio-San and Pinkerton in the New York City Opera's production of 'Madama Butterfly,' May 21, 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Joe McNally / Contributor / Getty Teatro alla Scala in Milan on February 17, 1904 Plot Setting: Puccini's Madama Butterfly is set in Nagasaki, Japan in the early 1900s. ACT 1 Atop a large hill in Nagasaki, Lieutenant Pinkerton of the United States Navy, inspects a house he recently rented from real-estate agent, Goro. Goro is also a marriage broker and has supplied Pinkerton with three servants and a geisha wife named Cio-Cio San, who is also known as Madama Butterfly. US Consul Sharpless enters the house breathless after climbing the large hill.

Pinkerton explains to his friend that as a sailor, he lives life in the moment and seeks one pleasure after the next. He divulges his current infatuation and feelings about Madama Butterfly, but reveals his ultimate dream of marrying an American woman. Despite receiving a 999 year marriage contract with Madama Butterfly when he purchased the house, it renews from month to month and allows divorce at any time. continue reading below our video 5 Classic Novels Everyone Should Read Sharpless warms him that his Japanese fiancé may feel more passionate about their upcoming marriage than he does. Pinkerton dismisses Sharpless's advice. Outside, Madama Butterfly is happily singing about her marriage as she and her friends make their way back to the house. Upon arrival, she tells Pinkerton that her family was once wealthy but fell on hard times, so she became a geisha to earn money for her family. She shows Pinkerton some of her most treasured things and tells him she has renounced her faith and taken up Christianity, despite her family's strong protests. As Madama Butterfly's family and marriage officials arrive, Pinkerton whispers to Sharpless that this is all a farce and that these new relatives will only be around for one month's time.

After the wedding and amidst the toasts and celebrations, Madama Butterfly's uncle, a Buddhist priest, enters the house cursing her for abandoning her faith. Before finishing his diatribe, he is interrupted by Pinkerton. Her uncle leaves the house after persuading her entire family to renounce her just as she renounced her faith. Her family leaves and servers all ties with her. Pinkerton takes hold of Madama Butterfly and consoles her. She is sad she has lost her family, but is happy in Pinkerton's arms. Unfortunately unbeknownst to Madama Butterfly, Pinkerton is more in love with the fact that he essentially owns her for the next 999 years than he is with Madama Butterfly herself. ACT 2 Three years have passed and Pinkerton has not returned. While the servant, Suzuki, prays to Buddha that Madama Butterfly's tears will stop soon, Madama Butterfly is listening to her. When Suzuki finishes Butterfly tells her that the Japanese gods are worthless - only the Christian god will bring Pinkerton home. Suzuki explains to Madama Butterfly that the little money they have left will not last much longer.

(In one of the opera's most famous arias " Un bel di, vedremo ") Madama Butterfly tells her to have faith - Pinkerton will return, because he had arranged the American Consul to provide rent money, mosquito netting, and locks to keep out family and intruders. Pinkerton told her that he will one day return with roses in hand when robins build their nests. Upon hearing this, Suzuki weeps. Sharpless arrives moments later with a letter for Madama Butterfly. It is from Pinkerton. Before he can read the letter, she asks questions as to his health and when he might return. Madama Butterfly is overjoyed when Sharpless explains that Pinkerton is in good health. She tells him that Pinkerton once told her he would return when the robins build their nests. She asks if the robins have built their nests in America yet, because they have built their nests three times in Japan since he left. She also tells him that Goro has brought many suitors to her for marriage, but she has refused each one including the most recent - a wealthy prince. As Sharpless mentions the idea that Pinkerton may not return, she brings out her son, Dolore.

She tells him that once Pinkerton learns of his son, he will surely return. If he does not, she would rather die. Saddened and moved by her devotion, Sharpless is unable to reveal the contents of Pinkerton's letter to her. In it, Pinkerton states he is not returning to Japan. After Sharpless leaves, a cannon report is heard in the distance. Madama Butterfly rushes to the window with her binoculars and sees Pinkerton's ship enter the harbor. Full of excitement, she instructs Suzuki and her son to fill the house with flowers. ACT 3 The following morning, Suzuki, having slept all night, enters the room with Dolore to find that Madama Butterfly has been awaiting Pinkerton's return and hasn't slept at all. She persuades Madama Butterfly to get some sleep. Reluctantly, Madama Butterfly agrees and takes her son into the bedroom while humming along the way. Not long after, Sharpless and Pinkerton knock on the front door. Pinkerton tells Suzuki not to wake Madama Butterfly.

He asks her how Madama Butterfly knew he has returned, and she explains to him how for the last three years Madama Butterfly studied every single ship that came into the harbor and recognized his ship when it appeared the previous evening. Sharpless reminds Pinkerton that he once warned him of this impending disaster. A minute later, Suzuki sees another woman waiting outside in the garden. Her name is Kate, Pinkerton's American wife. Suzuki falls to the floor in despair. Full of shame and remorse, Pinkerton cowardly leaves the house. Sharpless tells Suzuki that though they can do nothing for Madama Butterfly, Kate wants to adopt Dolore as her own son and take care of him in America. Suzuki and Sharpless go outside to talk with Kate. Kate asks her to encourage Madama Butterfly to give up her son. When Madama Butterfly awakes, she calls out to Suzuki. Suzuki rushes into the house crying, and Madama Butterfly asks her what is wrong. When Madama Butterfly sees Kate and Sharpless standing outside in the garden, she softly asks Suzuki if Pinkerton is alive. Suzuki answers yes. Madama Butterfly knows immediately what is going on.

She knows that Pinkerton has returned with his American wife and she must give up her son. Kate and Sharpless enter the house and Kate asks for Madama Butterfly's forgiveness. Madama Butterfly tells her the only way she will give up her son is if Pinkerton comes to the house and asks for him in person. She sends them away and tells them to return in half-an-hour. She tells Suzuki to draw all the curtains as there is too much light in the house and orders her into the other room. Madama Butterfly bows before the buddha statue and takes the dagger her father used to commit suicide and reads its inscription. "Who cannot live with honor must die with honor." As she raises the dagger, her son enters the room. She tells him how much she loves him before sending him outside to play. Once he leaves, she plunges the dagger into her heart. As she lies lifelessly on the floor, Pinkerton arrives calling out her name.

Question: In which opera does the character Lieutenant Pinkerton appear?
Answer: Madama Butterfly