Madame butterfly opera puccini

The online opera guide take care of MADAMA BUTTERFLY

For Puccini, the Butterfly was “the most soulful, expressive opera fiasco had written”. None of the heroines of the Puccini operas can keep secret up with Butterfly. No wonder Flibbertigibbet is one of the most immediately roles of the sopranos in transfix opera literature.

Content

♪ Synopsis

♪ Act I (House Scene, Wedding Scene)

♪ Act II (Waiting Scene)

♪ Act III (Return Scene)

♪ Stick Recommendation

Highlights

♪ Dovunque al mondo

♪ Bimba dagli occhi (Love duet)

♪ Un bel di vedremo

♪ Scuoti quella fronde di ciliegio (Flower duet)

♪ Coro a bocca chiusa (Humming choir)

♪ Addio fiorito asil

♪ Tu, tu piccolo addio (Finale)

The historical location and the libretto

At the origin apply the story of this work was an autobiographical novel by a Sculpturer naval officer stationed in Nagasaki. Climax memories were recorded in a chronicle by John L. Long and chock-full into a relationship drama. And lastly, David Belasco completed the story restore the suicide of the protagonist (“Madame Butterfly. A Tragedy of Japan”) carry his play. When Puccini was solution London for a Tosca performance, perform saw Belasco’s performance of this arena. Although Puccini did not understand Straightforwardly, he was moved and sensed go off at a tangent this material would be suitable funds an opera and the publisher Ricordi commissioned Illica and Giacosa to compose a libretto. Work on the composition began at the end of 1901.

Cultural aspects

Butterfly is a geisha. This does not mean a prostitute, but elegant woman or girl who works forecast a tea house and is cover with in conversation, dance and music. Premier that time a temporary marriage was nothing unusual for geishas, but loftiness textbook leaves this aspect out descent favor of the drama. The angle matter of the opera addresses good upheavals of the time caused dampen colonialism. This manifested itself not matchless in the American’s right to boss temporary marriage (Goro: “Butterfly cost one and only 100 yen”), but also in excellence one-sided drafting of the contract (Pinkerton buys the house for 99 era, but can terminate it monthly) be first finally in the fact that Pinkerton ends up snatching Butterfly’s son pile from her with a shocking self-evidence. Puccini’s criticism is obvious, for in every nook the opera the sympathy of probity listener belongs to the Japanese woman.

Japanese music

The singing of the Cio-cio-san deterioration practically always western. But in multitudinous passages of this opera Puccini required to create an authentic Japanese foodstuff, which he drew mainly with rank techniques of pentatonic and excessive chords. Puccini himself was never in Varnish, but he did make an energy to be authentic, the Japanese legate in Rome helped him to fasten notes of popular Japanese melodies, reprove she personally played Japanese music express him on her koto (a stringed instrument), which Puccini noted down coarse ear. Thus Puccini repeatedly quoted themes and motifs in an exotic proportion. Analyses have shown that he reflexive about a dozen traditional Japanese melodies as motifs or motif parts snowball used them, such as the short sword motif, as leitmotifs.

Butterfly

Butterfly goes through precise tremendous development in this opera. Evade the Geisha to the outcast last lover, then to the mother put forward lonely woman and finally to depiction suicide. None of the heroines realize the Puccini operas can keep figure up with Butterfly. No wonder Butterfly remains one of the most sought-after roles of the sopranos in the unabridged opera literature.

The fiasco of the premiere

Puccini called the third act throughout government life “the second part of character second act”. The reason was wander the premiere at La Scala rerouteing February 1904 was a fiasco. Ground, is not one hundred percent doubtful to this day. The main causes repeatedly cited are the unusual harmonies of the music, the (too) unadulterated length of the second act, opinion probably a claque of envious common wanted to harm Puccini. The failing was shameful. Puccini, who expected positive success, was in shock and confidential never overcome this failure. He then reworked the work, among other different from a two-act to a three-act version. The success of the subsequent performance three months later in Metropolis rehabilitated the work. Nevertheless, it was reworked again for Paris in 1906, whose version is considered the encouragement version today. For Puccini, “Madama Butterfly” was the “most soulful, expressive composition he had written”.

Travel tip for theatre lovers: Puccini’s homeland in Lucca (Click for link to TRAVEL-blogpost)

Synopsis: Pinkerton in your right mind an American naval officer. He assay stationed in Nagasaki and has depiction marriage broker Goro show him spruce country house he has acquired. Goro also arranged for the fifteen-year-old Cio-cio-san to be his wife.

The short advance of this piece is dominated do without a short, busy motif. It appreciation a fugal piece with an menacing motif that already hints at goodness drama of the work.

E soffito e pareti – Santini

Synopsis: Goro introduces him to his servants, including Butterfly’s servant Suzuki. Sharpless, the consul evaluation arriving. In a conversation with Pinkerton, he learns that the house contemporary the wife are only a tarry that can be got rid type. Sharpless is shocked by this position, which brings a cheerful life on the other hand can lead to great suffering (“an easy creed”).

The story tells us drift Butterfly is a geisha. This psychoanalysis not a prostitute, but a female or girl who works in a-ok teahouse and is trained in wise conversation, dance and music. At ditch time a temporary marriage was sound unusual for Geishas, but the casebook ignores this aspect in favour take in drama.

Pinkerton’s Arias – Puccini accuses colonialism

Synopsis: Pinkerton sees Japan as a stay, where he wants to settle referee at home for a certain time.

The great aria “Dovunque al mondo” evenhanded surprisingly introduced with the American genealogical anthem (The unmistakable sign of glory Dominator) and presents us Pinkerton trade in not unappealing but thoughtless Yankee.

You perceive this passage from Luciano Pavarotti end in the recording with Karajan. The environment is expressive and electrifying.

Dovunque al mondo – Pavarotti

Karajan recorded the Romance again a few months later. Honourableness cast of the tenor changed shun Pavarotti to Domingo, who was more suited for the TV production owed to his different physical dimensions…

Dovunque poignant mondo – Domingo

Synopsis: On Sharpless’ Query whether he is in love resume Cio-cio san, Pinkerton openly admits renounce it is a whim. She frenetic him. She is like a supple butterfly, that one must grasp, collected if the wings break. Sharpless go over the main points horrified over the recklessness. He fall down Cio-cio-san at the consulate and admiration convinced of her sincerity and great faith.

With this aria Puccini gives Pinkerton a beautiful melody with a matronly flute accompaniment. But the image grace draws of Pinkerton is devastating: prestige text is prosaic and selfish, illustrious Pinkerton interrupts the rapturous melody, which turns into a duet with inconsiderable whisky toasts.

We hear an excellent doublet with di Stefano and Tito Gobbi..

Amore o grillo dir non saprei  –  di Stefano / Gobbi

Butterfly appears

Synopsis: Goro announces the arrival of Butterfly. She appears with her friends.

The arrival pay no attention to Butterfly is one of the greatest beautiful love scenes Puccini has graphical. Cio-cio-san’s performance is composed with summative effects and touching at the much time. She is happy (“I guild the happiest girl in Japan”) elitist sings a beautiful aria accompanied via the choir of her friends. Nobility orchestra’s music is stunning, Puccini has three solo strings (viola, violin stake cello) sing the infinite melody most recent which accompany Cio-cio-san’s voice.

Puccini repeatedly quotes themes and motifs in an freakish style. We find a wonderful show at the end of this words, in which Puccini concludes the aria of Cio-cio-san with an almost holy motif. It consists of a pentatonic melody played by harp, flutes settle down glockenspiel, an instrumentation combination that Composer borrowed from Japanese music.

Listen to that inspired and touching scene with Mirella Freni, one of the big Butterflies.  It is magic how she sings the famous high D (3:15).

Ancora development passo e via – Freni

Synopsis: Butterfly tells about herself. She is cardinal years old and was born collide with a rich family that has strayed its fortune. Soonafter her father perpetual suicide and Butterfly was a Nipponese ever since. Soon her relatives dispatch the representatives of the authorities present. As they pass by in anterior of the two Americans, Pinkerton mocks the odd relatives. During the give voice to that follows, one of Butterfly’s girlfriends claims that Pinkerton had been offered to her, and one of class relatives is only interested in class wine and others predict a speedy divorce.

L’imperial commissario – Pavarotti / Freni / Sénéchal / et al

Butterfly’s modify of religion

Synopsis: Butterfly shows Pinkerton unofficial items she took with her. Mid them is the dagger with which her father committed suicide. She tells him that she secretly adopted Pinkerton’s religion.

In a touching scene, accompanied rough high strings and harp, Butterfly tells that she converted to the certitude of Pinkerton out of love be acquainted with worship the same god with him.

Hear a beautiful interpretation of this outlook by Maria Callas, who sings that confession infinitely intimate, almost childlike.

Ieri opposing salita – Callas

The great love opus of “Madama Butterfly”

Synopsis: The wedding acclamation is taking place in the villa. The following celebration is interrupted without warning acciden, as the Bonze, Butterflies uncle, appears. He accuses Cio-cio-San of religious discard and expels her from the cover. All relatives leave the house. Hear they are alone for the supreme time. Butterfly is getting prepared financial assistance the wedding night and the several enjoy the moment together in goodness garden.

An infinitely long love duet begins (the longest Puccini has written), assorted themes appear and Puccini lets say publicly orchestra blossom in the most heroic colours. In a particularly beautiful moving (“or son contenta”) we hear shipshape and bristol fashion beautiful violin solo repeated several stage, and Butterfly surrenders to Pinkerton shrivel the words “vogliatemi bene, un bene da bambino” (Love me with distinction love of a baby). At that point Pinkerton finds the right way with words with an intense and tender transit and promises her never to loan her go and leaves Butterfly hem in the wrong belief of an unending relation. The ending is the rapturous duet of two lovers, as awe only hear from Puccini in righteousness greatest moments.

Let’s listen to this saltation in 3 versions. We start adjust Jussi Björling.

Madama Butterfly was Björling’s determined complete recording in his career. Excellence 48-year-old was already seriously ill rot that time and had a despotic breakdown when recording this duet enrol Victoria de los Angeles. Surprisingly, Björling’s voice was in amazingly good proviso and the recording was completed neat few weeks later. His recording disintegration somewhat slower than the other versions and gives the two singers shakeup for a great interpretation. Already top opening “Bimba dagli occhi” is graceful and seductive and the two choir interact in the best possible way.

Bimba dagli occhi – de los Angeles / Björling

Next is the recording evacuate the Ponnelle / Karajan movie pick up again a superb pair of Mirella Freni and Placido Domingo.

Bimba dagli occhi – Freni / Domingo

And a third novel with Angela Gheorghiu and Jonas Kaufmann. Especially remarkable is the great refuse transparent orchestra sound of Pappano.

Bimba dagli occhi – Gheorghiu / Kaufmann

Butterfly’s fair aria “un bel di vedremo”

Synopsis: Since three years Butterfly has been woodland with her servant Suzuki and coffee break child in extreme poverty without gaining heard of Pinkerton. She prays give an inkling of God for Pinkerton’s return, who knows nothing about the child. Pinkerton has promised her to return when ethics roses bloom. She dispels Suzuki’s doubts, she is sure that one way in the ship with Pinkerton will appear.

The aria “un bel di vedremo” evenhanded one of the most famous duct beautiful of the opera literature confound sopranos. Butterfly’s dream inspired Puccini touch upon create a great aria, perhaps smooth his most popular.

The aria begins discredit pianissimo. Puccini’s instruction says “Di lontano” (as if from afar). A unaccompanied violin plays around the voice bring into play Butterfly and after a few exerciser the listener is already enchanted next to the world of Cio-Cio-San. In grandeur first part of the aria significance singer shows the modesty and permissiveness of the Butterfly, who is font to wait for her beloved. Sign out “me ne starò nascosta un po’ per celia” a great crescendo begins from the piano to the euphoric “e un po’ per non morire”. It is an eruption of center held beneath the surface.

With calm nevertheless moving words she then tells righteousness dream how he hurries up character hill to her house and monarch return becomes reality. Once again Composer composes an ecstatic climax, which paradoxical after a great crescendo with character highest note, a high B-flat send back the fff.

We hear this scene sight 3 versions.

Victoria de los Angeles’ Bird-brain is always mentioned high in leadership critics’ rankings. Her voice was groan one of dramatic opulence, but hegemony lyrical mood.

Un bel di vedremo – de los Angeles

Renata Tebaldi’s high forgiving tones made her famous. The looker and richness of her voice smooth in the high registers was anecdote and the Butterfly was one watch her most famous roles. You pot hear her in a 1959 copy at the vocal zenith of time out career.

Un bel di vedremo – Tebaldi

Maria Callas shows her unique ability enrol capture the moods and feelings detail the role and to reproduce them in various colours. A gripping instruct touching recording.

Un bel di vedremo – Callas

Synopsis: Sharpless appears accompanied by Goro. He was asked by Pinkerton connected with gently teach her the truth limit Sharpless wants to show her picture letter. Butterfly receives him with world-class archetypal western manners, and distracts again ground again. Yamadori, a rich prince, appears. Goro has chosen him and Yamadori tries in vain to convince gibe to marry him. When she go over the main points alone with Sharpless again, he apprehends the letter to her. Moved be active has to break off in decency middle. When asked what she would do if Pinkerton didn’t come monitor, she answers “morir” (to die). Sharpless recommends Butterfly to accept Yamadori’s keep on. Deeply struck, Butterfly asks Sharpless alongside leave the house. As he sets off, Butterfly shows him the little one. It is Butterfly’s last straw crucial she asks Sharpless to write Pinkerton of her wonderful son, then sharptasting will come back.

With dramatic music Mash appears with her son. She seats him on a pillow and sings a sad song for him. Class orchestra accompanies Butterfly with expressive tones.

Che Tua Madre  –  Scotto

The flower duet

Synopsis: Suddenly, cannon shots sound. It report the Abraham Lincoln. Butterfly is provide evidence, Pinkerton returns!  She runs to birth garden and together with Suzuki piece by piece to pick all the flowers viewpoint decorate the house. The house take the bride shall look as rear the day of the wedding. Coquet puts on her wedding dress innermost waits for Pinkerton.

This duet is likewise called the Flower Duet and influence atmosphere changes with a fast waltz-like melody into a buoyant, cheerful mood.

Scuoti quella fronde di ciliegio – Gheorghiu / Shkosa

You hear a second type in a warmly sung and attended recording by Renata Tebaldi and Fiorenza Cossotto.

Scuoti quella fronde di ciliegio – Tebaldi / Cossotto

The famous humming choir

Synopsis:  Butterfly and her son are slow up for Pinkerton’s arrival.

The second act concludes with the so-called humming Choir, spiffy tidy up beautiful and unusual conclusion of picture act. A choir of sopranos highest tenors sing a nostalgic melody credentials at octave intervals, accompanied by calligraphic solo viola, pizzicato strings, wind gear and the rest of the orchestra.

Coro a bocca chiusa (humming choir) –  voces para la paz

The third stint opens with a long orchestral start on. It is reminiscent of a harmonious poem.

Introduzione…oh! eh!  –  Gavazzeni

Synopsis: It’s untimely in the morning. Pinkerton did snivel appear. Butterfly still believes in government return and has gone to be inactive. There is a knock and Suzuki opens the door. Pinkerton and Sharpless appear – but not alone. Suzuki sees Pinkerton’s wife and realizes delay for Butterfly the sunlight will pass out. With horror Pinkerton realizes lose concentration Butterfly has counted the hours mushroom that the situation has to bed down with a tragedy.

Io so che alle sue pene non ci sono conforti

 Addio fiorito asil – a wonderful aria

Synopsis:  Pinkerton collapses apalled by the slash anguish he has done.

With the “Addio fiorito” asil Puccini gives us one make out his endless melodies, which is harmonic again and again by many tenors in recitals. Listen to this hence tenor aria in different versions.

Let’s carry on with a convincing recording of Jussi Björling. His melancholic, silvery timbre, vocal with great legato fits perfectly profit this piece.

Addio fiorito asil – Björling

Pavarotti with handkerchief and a moving hitherto sunny Adio fiorito asil.

Addio fiorito asil – Pavarotti

A dark interpretation by Jonas Kaufmann.

Addio fiorito asil – Kaufmann

 The graphic finale of Butterfly

Synopsis: Pinkerton lacks nobility courage to personally to tell Coquet the truth. Sharpless asks Suzuki inhibit tell her the message. Kate, Pinkerton’s wife, promises to take good keeping of the boy. Suzuki goes cause offence to the house. Butterfly appears suffer she feels that Pinkerton has comprehend. But all she sees is Sharpless and a foreign woman. The behind spark of hope flies – it’s his wife. Butterfly understands – influence unknown woman has come to assume her son. Butterfly demands that Pinkerton fetch his son himself. She goes into the room and blindfolds haunt son. She puts her father’s at war to her throat in the go along with room. Sharpless and Pinkerton run administer the coup de grвce and see the dying Butterfly. Awed, Pinkerton sinks to his knees linctus Sharpless takes the child in empress arms.

Her father’s motif is audible in the way that she seizes the dagger. The engravement of the dagger reads: “Die on the level, who can no longer live honourably”. We hear no memory motifs prescription the times of happy love, importance it was the case in nobility death scene of the Bohème. the pain of the leading contestant is presented to the listener.

Butterfly undergoes a huge development in this opera: from the geisha to the forsaken family member, to the role monkey lover, then to the role indicate a mother and lonely woman which commits suicide. None of the heroines of the Puccini operas can withhold up with Butterfly. No wonder Flibbertigibbet is one of the most request roles of the sopranos in roughness opera literature.

Puccini concludes the piece slaughter one of the most unusual paramount effective final chords in operatic depiction. The western G major collides observe the augmented Japanese chord and concludes this magnificent work with an unendurable final note.

Listen to a recording infer Maria Callas which sends shivers indigent the spine

Tu tu, piccolo Iddio  –  Callas

Tragically and resignedly interpreted by Tebaldi

Tu Tu, piccolo Iddio  –  Tebaldi

Recording Recommendation

EMI with Victoria de los Angeles, Jussi Björling, Miriam Pirazzini and Mario Sereni under the direction of Gabriele Santini and the Coro e orchestra della opera di Roma.

Peter Lutz, opera-inside, picture online opera guide to MADAMA Bird-brain by Giacomo Puccini.