"Madame Butterfly": the plot of the opera. Summary of Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly"

Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" was written in 1903, after the composer visited London and visited the Theater of the Prince of York. At that time on the stage was the play "Geisha" American writer-playwright Belasco. The history of the appearance of this play dates back to 1887, when J. Long's novel was written about the unhappy love of the Japanese priestess of entertainment, a geisha named Cio-Cio-san. This unhappy story formed the basis for the production of Geisha, and then Madame Butterfly. The plot of the opera is exactly the same as the story of the tragic fate of a young Japanese woman.

Score and libretto

Giacomo Puccini was shocked by the content of the play and, returning to Milan, he proceeded to write the score, having previously secured the support of his two friends, the librettists of the La Scala theater, Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illic. The composer was eager to create a bright work that could become a masterpiece in the world of opera. I must say that his ambitions were quite natural, because the composer already had such works as "Tosca" and "Bohemia" written earlier.

The libretto of Illyk and Giacosa was written in the shortest time, and the future opera itself was called "Madame Butterfly", which means "lady butterfly". However, Giacomo Puccini himself, as a result of his enthusiasm for motor sports, soon suffered in an accident, which for a long time put him to bed. Work on the score had to be interrupted. After a while the composer resumed work, but it moved slowly.

Premiere

The opera "Madame Butterfly", whose plot was full of tragedy, Giacomo Puccini wrote at the end of 1903. The premiere of the play took place on February 17, 1904 at the Milan Theater "La Scala". Contrary to expectations, the opera "Madam Butterfly", whose plot, it would seem, could not leave anyone indifferent, was accepted by the public without enthusiasm. The cause of the failure of the performance was an unnecessarily prolonged action, the audience got bored, and by the end of the second act they began to disperse altogether.

The criticism of Madame Butterfly was also negative, the reviews in the newspapers were full of words: "not figuratively," "boring," "boring." Giacomo Puccini was depressed, but did not give in. The composer took into account all the shortcomings of the play, divided the excessively prolonged action of the production into three equal The libretto has noticeably brightened up, the events have begun to develop with sufficient speed, the opera has taken on a form that the viewers particularly like-the predictable, expected actions of the characters, but with a certain intrigue.

The libretto of the new play was rewritten almost completely. The authors expanded the image of Suzuki's maid, she became more characteristic of the heroine. In the absence of Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-san approached the servant, their relationship became friendly. The role of the mother of the main character also became more significant.

The success of the performance

In May 1904, a new production was released. This time the play "Madame Butterfly", whose story was radically updated, the audience liked. Critics also responded positively. After several performances in La Scala, Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" began a triumphant march through European theaters. Later the production will be successful in America.

Opera "Madame Butterfly": summary

At the heart of the play lies the story of the unhappy love of a young Japanese woman named Cio-Cio-san. Opera "Madame Butterfly", the plot of which reveals all the ugliness of human meanness, is built on the sufferings of a cruelly deceived innocent girl.

Lieutenant of the Navy, American Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton is in love with a geisha named Cio-Cio-san, nicknamed "Butterfly". He is going to marry a girl and swears to her in eternal love. In fact, the young rake started a dishonest game. In a conversation with the American consul Sharples he confesses to him in his intentions. The fact is that under American law, a marriage concluded in Japan does not have legal force in the US, and Pinkerton intends to use this circumstance in its own interests. Having married Cio-Cio-san, he, in fact, remains a free man.

Sharples condemns the actions of Benjamin and appeals to his decency. However, it is more important for Pinkerton to establish himself in the role of such a conqueror of women's hearts, to win over a defenseless girl and to use her love for her self-affirmation. At the same time, the officer's honor and upbringing do not allow Benjamin just to drop Cio-Cio-san, he tries to observe the rules of decency. However, he can not do it.

Love Cio-Cio-san

Long evenings the lovers sat in the tea room. Cio-Cio-san tells Pinkerton that her father was a noble but poor samurai. Therefore, she had to become a geisha and entertain visitors. But now that love has come, life has acquired a new meaning, it is ready for her beloved Benjamin Pinkerton to renounce her religion and accept Christianity. One of the nearest relatives of the girl finds out about this and tries to dissuade her from a rash step. The girl does not want to listen, she is blinded by love.

The marriage and departure of Pinkerton

Pinkerton marries Chio-Cio-san, after a year she gives birth to her son. For a while the couple live together, and then the husband leaves for America, leaving his wife and child in the arms, under the supervision of a servant named Suzuki. In the US, a naval officer accepts honors, visits military clubs and makes new friends. About the wife left in Japan, Pinkerton does not remember. And in the meantime Prince Yamadori is wooing her. A noble japanese genuinely loves a girl, admits to her in this and makes an offer. He tries to help Sharples, who accidentally learns about matchmaking. In response, Cio-Cio-san points to his son and makes it clear that the boy needs his own father.

The Return of Pinkerton

Three years have passed since Benjamin left Japan. Chio-Cio-san is still awaiting the arrival of her husband, she cried all the tears, but hopes for happiness in the future. The young woman shares her experiences with Suzuki, convincing the faithful servant that the husband is about to arrive. She, in turn, tries to support and comfort her. A small son grows up, a loving mother is happy to watch the baby's plays and the only thing that worries her is her husband's long absence.

Meanwhile Pinkerton enjoys the legal freedom granted him by American laws, and marries his compatriot named Cat. Then he writes a letter to Sharples so that he notifies Chio-Cio-san about his new marriage. However, the consul does not dare to open the truth to the girl. Soon a cannon shot is heard, an American ship has arrived at the port of Nagasaki. On board the liner is Pinkerton with his new wife. Chio-Cio-san, in a trembling expectation, without suspecting anything, decorates the house and yard with flowers.

The tragic ending

Benjamin appears on arm with Kat, and with them the consul. Chio-Cio-san is shocked, she understood everything. A young woman gives her son Pinkerton, and her hand is already clutching a small dagger under the kimono. Then she retires to her room, hastily hangs all the windows and pierces her breast with a dagger. At this point, Pinkerton, Cat, Sharples and Suzuki come in with the boy in their arms. Dying "Butterfly" from the last forces gestures asks to take care of his son.

"Chio-Cio-san" in America

Opera "Madame Butterfly", the summary and cast of which were presented in advance in the US press, made a furore on Broadway. The American theater audience warmly met the touching story of pure maiden love. The performance lasted several seasons and entered under the name "Chio-Cio-san" among the most successful theatrical productions of the time. Sometimes on the posters it was written "Madame Butterfly". The opera, whose characters evoked ambiguous feelings from the audience, kept them in suspense from beginning to end. After the performance, the audience stood by the audience standing.

Main actors

• Madame Butterfly - soprano;
• Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton is a tenor;
• Suzuki - mezzo-soprano;
• Cat Pinkerton - mezzo-soprano:
• Sharples - baritone;
• Prince Yamadori is a baritone;
• Uncle bonsa - bass;
• Commissioner - bass;
• The cousin is a soprano;
• Official bass;
• Aunt - mezzo-soprano;
• Mother - mezzo-soprano;
• Goro is a tenor;

The work "Madame Butterfly" (opera, music and libretto) became a real masterpiece of vocal art with magnificent drama. In the person of Cio-Cio-san, images of hundreds of abandoned women with broken fates are collected, which makes this play relevant to this day.