Synopsis

A Brief Synopsis of Madama Butterfly

Act I

Lt. Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, U.S. Navy, has leased a house on a hillside overlooking Nagasaki harbor. The deal is arranged by Goro, a broker of many things, who also procures for Pinkerton three servants and a beautiful young geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San (Butterfly). It’s a marriage of convenience. The cavalier Pinkerton tells the American counsel, Sharpless, that Butterfly is a dalliance and someday he’ll take an American bride. The innocent, trusting Butterfly sings of her wedding day and tells Pinkerton she’s converting from Buddhism to Christianity. For this she’s cursed by her uncle, a Bonze, or Buddhist monk. Pinkerton comforts his bride and they sing a long, glorious duet, "Viene la sera", as night falls.

Act II, Part 1

It’s three years since Pinkerton sailed away. One fine day, "Un bel di", his ship will return, Butterfly sings as she faithfully waits with their infant son. Her maid, Suzuki, and Goro, try to persuade Butterfly that Pinkerton is a cad and gone for good and that she should marry wealthy Prince Yamadori, one of many suitors. Sharpless arrives with a letter telling of Pinkerton’s remarriage. Butterfly is shattered but clings to the hope that Pinkerton will return to her. A cannon signals a new ship in the harbor. It’s the warship Abraham Lincoln with Pinkerton aboard. Butterfly and Suzuki sing the Flower Duet, "Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio", as they joyfully strew the house with blossoms, anticipating the reunion with Pinkerton the next morning.

Act II, Part 2

Dawn breaks and Sharpless and Pinkerton arrive at Butterfly’s house. With them is Kate, Pinkerton’s American wife. They’ve come to take the baby boy. Pinkerton, suddenly remorseful over what he’s done, disappears. Butterfly, in anguish, tells Kate that she will give up her child. With a prayer to the Buddha, and after placing a small American flag in her son’s hand, she takes her father’s dagger and plunges it into her body. Pinkerton rushes in calling her name, but to no avail.

- Gene Carlson