Madama Butterfly

G. Puccini

Madama Butterfly

opera in three acts
libretto by L. Illica and G. Giacosa based on a novel by J. Long
dramatized by D. Belasco

At the Abay Opera House, the premiere took place on 14.12.2022

Production Team:
Stage Conductor – Yerbolat Akhmedyarov, Honored Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Stage Director – Natalya Kagadiy
Scenography – Vladimir Ponomarev
Costume Designer – Aigerim Bekmukhambetova
Video Projection – Marat Sagadinov
Chief Chorus Master – Alia Temirbekova, Honored Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Choreographer – Alma Askarbekova, Honored Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Characters

• Cio-Cio-san (Butterfly)
• Suzuki, her maid
• Pinkerton, lieutenant of the US Navy
• Kate Pinkerton, Pinkerton’s wife
• Sharpless, American Consul in Nagasaki
• Goro, broker – matchmaker
• Bonze, Butterfly’s uncle
• Prince Yamadori
• Commissioner

Act I

Lieutenant of the US Navy Pinkerton is preparing to marry a young Japanese girl, Cio-Cio-san (Madama Butterfly), who, for a generous reward, was betrothed to him by a local matchmaker and broker, Goro. The wedding ceremony is ready, and Goro shows Pinkerton the house rented for the future spouses. American Consul Sharpless warns Pinkerton against his rash decision, but the lieutenant does not hide his intention to enter into a fictitious marriage because it is so common here, especially since he intends to marry a proper American woman when he returns to his homeland. A wedding procession appears, led by Cio-Cio-san. Sharpless meets the young geisha with irony. However, Cio-Cio-san greets the consul with dignity, earning his respect. The marriage ceremony starts. The sudden appearance of Bonze – Butterfly’s uncle – interrupts the wedding. Bonze curses his niece because she betrayed her ancestors and converted for the sake of a stranger. The wedding is called off. The family leaves Butterfly behind. Pinkerton comforts the girl, but when they are alone for the first time, they experience a new feeling that they have not known before.

Act II

For three years, Cio-Cio-san has been waiting for the return of her husband, who left shortly after the wedding. Rejected by her family, she lives with her maid Suzuki. The money left by Pinkerton is almost running out, but she has not given up hope. Accompanied by Goro, Sharpless arrives at her house with a letter from Pinkerton. Butterfly is too excited and asks the consul to read it. However, Sharpless fails to finish reading the letter. Hearing that her husband is healthy and should soon arrive in Nagasaki, Cio-Cio-san interrupts him. Prince Yamadori appears, for whom Goro stubbornly woos Cio-Cio-san. Having received another refusal, the prince is forced to leave. Sharpless hints that Pinkerton may not return and advises Cio-Cio-san to accept Yamadori’s offer. Cio-Cio-san is offended by Sharpless’ proposal and confesses that she has a son, Dolore, and that he is in fact Pinkerton’s son. A cannon shot is heard – this is a sign that an American ship is entering the port, on which Pinkerton should arrive. In joyful excitement, Cio-Cio-san decorates the house with flowers and, waiting for her husband, peers into the lights of the anchored ship.

Act III

While waiting for Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-san spends a sleepless night with Dolore and Suzuki. Tired but happy, she carries the child into the house. Suzuki sees Pinkerton and Sharpless brought in by Goro. With excitement and joy, she greets them, not immediately noticing the lady who came with them. Sharpless reveals the truth to Suzuki: this is Pinkerton’s wife, Kate. Upon learning that he had a son, Pinkerton came to take him away in the hope that the child would help save his legal marriage. But it is too hard for Pinkerton to be in a place where everything reminds him of the incredible feeling that he experienced with Butterfly. Wanting to get away from his surging memories, Pinkerton escapes. Cio-Cio-san appears and starts looking for Pinkerton, but notices only one stranger, a woman. Cio-Cio-san foresees the impending disaster. Shocked to the core by the will of her husband, she agrees to give the boy away, but cannot survive the collapse of all her hopes. Gently saying goodbye to her son, Cio-Cio-san, like her father, performs a ritual, killing herself according to the samurai code.