MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Giacomo Puccini

Act I

Goro the local marriage broker, shows Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, a US Navy Lieutenant, around the little Japanese house that he has leased. Goro has also found a young geisha girl known as Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) for Pinkerton to marry.

The American Consul Sharpless, arrives breathless after his hilly climb up to the house. Pinkerton describes to Sharpless the devil-may-care attitude of a seafaring American officer travelling around the world in search of pleasure. He continues to tell the Consul he has leased the house for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, with the option every month to cancel the contract. The marriage contract is the same and either can be cancelled at a month's notice. At this moment, he is captivated with the delicate Butterfly and intends to go ahead with the marriage, free, though, to annul the marriage monthly, a convenient way out for him. This upsets Sharpless, and he warns Pinkerton that the young girl may not take her vows so lightly. The lieutenant ignores these principles, adding that "One day I shall marry a real American wife". The bridal party can be heard in the distance, Cio-Cio-San sings joyously of her wedding day "I am the happiest young maiden, in all of Japan, indeed in the whole world."

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, and that she is only fifteen. 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, which she hides in the big sleeve of her kimono. One of which she hides from public view. Goro explains that it is a sheathed knife which the Mikado sent to Cio-Cio-San's father, with the invitation to commit hara-kiri, which he did, in fact, obey.

Cio-Cio-San confesses to Pinkerton that yesterday, alone and in secret she climbed the hill up to the Mission as she was ready to adopt the religion of her bridegroom. With the wedding ceremony completed, the guests toast the couple. The atmosphere is very happy and gay. Suddenly Cio-Cio-San's uncle, the Bonze, a Japanese priest, bursts upon the scene, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors' religion, "You have disowned us all!" Pinkerton furiously orders the Bonze and family to leave. Alone at last with his bride, he reassures her about being renounced. Pinkerton dries her tears and as they stand in the moonlit garden gazing at the stars, here they discover their love for each other. The familiar and beautiful love duet 'Viene la sera' ends Act One.

ACT II

Three years have passed since Pinkerton returned to America. Cio-Cio-San has not heard from her husband, but still faithfully waits for his return. Suzuki prays to her gods for aid, "Grant me, that Butterfly will weep no more" Butterfly asks the maid "How long before poverty is here?" Suzuki shows her a few coins and tells Cio-Cio-San her concern that Pinkerton might never return. She is told to have faith: one fine day Pinkerton's ship will appear on the horizon. Sharpless and Goro arrive, Goro quickly disappears into the garden. Sharpless has not seen Madama Butterfly since the wedding, and Cio-Cio-San is overjoyed. He has come with a letter he wishes to read to Cio-Cio-San. The letter is from Pinkerton asking him to tactfully inform Cio-Cio-San of his marriage to a American woman, but his attempts to tell her the contents of the letter are put off by her constant questions about Pinkerton. Cio-Cio-San asks "In America, what time of the year do Robin redbreasts nest? Is it earlier or later than here?" "My husband promised me he would return when the Robin redbreasts nest. In Japan they have already nested three times. Is it different in America?" "I never studied ornithology", replies Sharpless. Goro, who has been wandering around in the garden, brings in a suitor for her hand, Prince Yamadori. The girl dismisses the wealthy Prince, saying with much conviction that her American husband has not deserted her.

When they are alone again, Sharpless once more tries to read the letter to her but fails. The letter contains the news that Pinkerton will return to Japan with his American wife. In despair Sharpless asks Cio-Cio-San what she would do if Pinkerton never returned. With anguish she exclaims that there are two things she could do, go back to singing or better still die. Sharpless tells her she should accept the proposal of Yamadori. Cio-Cio-San disappears and returns with her son, Trouble, whom will be named Joy when his father returns, still insisting Pinkerton will return when he learns of his son. Sharpless, disheartened, and who can't bring himself to inform her Pinkerton has a new wife, leaves.

After hearing a ships cannon, Cio-Cio-San and Suzuki watch Pinkerton's ship enter the harbour. Joyfully, Cio-Cio-San instructs Suzuki to help her distribute flower petals all over the house in preparation for his arrival. Butterfly, Suzuki and Trouble settle down to watch for Pinkerton through three little holes in the screen.

ACT III

Suzuki awakens and implores her mistress to rest. Cio-Cio-San carries her child to another room, singing him a lullaby. Pinkerton and Sharpless arrive, they have with them Kate, Pinkerton's wife, who remains in the garden. As soon as Suzuki see her, she realizes the truth. They ask Suzuki not to wake Cio-Cio-San, and ask for her support in persuading Cio-Cio-San to let Pinkerton and Kate take the child. Pinkerton glancing around at the once idyllic home, is overcome with remorse, bids an anguished farewell to the scene, and rushes away. Suzuki approaches Kate, and promises to try to convince Butterfly to accept the adoption offer. Cio-Cio-San joyfully enters the room expecting to find Pinkerton. Seeing Sharpless and an unknown lady, it only takes her a moment to realize the truth. She tells Kate that Pinkerton may take her son if he will return for him later.

When she's alone, Cio-Cio-San takes out the dagger that her father used to commit hara-kiri, reading the inscription "To die with honour when one can no longer live with honour." Just as she raises the blade, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Sobbing, she bids him an emotional last farewell, gives him a little American flag and a doll, telling him to play with them while she blindfolds him. Cio-Cio-San goes behind an ornamental screen and stabs herself, drops the dagger and drags herself towards her child. From outside a distraught Pinkerton can be heard desperately calling 'Butterfly! Butterfly!'.
Pinkerton runs into the house, falls on his knees and Cio-Cio-San dies.