Madama butterfly
April 17, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
april 19, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
TOBIN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
free pre-show lectures:
One hour prior to each performance, audience members are encouraged to attend a free lecture that is open to all ticket holders. These lectures, held in the Tobin Center’s Feik Rotunda, are designed to be educational for opera-goers of all ages and are offered to help the audience gain a better understanding of the production they are about to experience.
Overview
Music by: Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by: Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Running Time: 3 hours with one, 20 minute intermission
This powerful opera is the passionately moving tale of a young Japanese woman's unrequited love for an American sailor. Puccini’s lush score is rich with so many memorable moments it has become a beloved favorite with audiences worldwide. Set against a backdrop of cultural contrasts, this opera explores the devastating aftermath of love forsaken and the consequences of unwavering trust.
Sung in Italian with projected English translations.
Madama Butterfly will be produced in collaboration with Austin Opera and The Orchestra San Antonio presented by Classical Music Institute.
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Japan, early 20th century. Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy inspects a house overlooking Nagasaki Harbor that he is leasing from Goro, a marriage broker. Goro has also arranged for Pikerton to marry, Cio-Cio-San, a young woman known as Madame Butterfly. The American consul, Sharpless, arrives for the wedding ceremony and Pinkerton describes to him his philosophy of the fearless Yankee roaming the world in search of experience and pleasure. Sharpless warns him that his bride may view the marriage more seriously. After the formal introduction, Cio-Cio-San explains that her family was once prominent but lost its position, and she has had to earn her living as a geisha. The Imperial Commissioner reads the marriage agreement, and the relatives congratulate the couple. Butterfly’s uncle, the Bonze (a priest) interrupts the festivities. He curses the girl for rejecting her ancestral religion, and the shocked relatives denounce Cio-Cio-San as they swiftly leave the house. Pinkerton tries to console his “Butterfly” as they are left alone on their wedding night.
Intermission
Act II
Three years have passed, and Cio-Cio-San awaits her husband’s return. Suzuki prays for help but is berated for believing in Japanese gods rather than in Pinkerton’s promise to return “when the robins nest again.” Sharpless appears with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it, Goro arrives with a new potential husband, Prince Yamadori. Butterfly politely insists she is not available for marriage—her American husband has not deserted her. Sharpless attempts to read Pinkerton’s letter but is repeatedly interrupted. Giving up, he asks her what she would do if Pinkerton never returned. Cio-Cio-San replies she would either become a geisha again, or better, die. After Cio-Cio-San introduces her son, Trouble, Sharpless leaves, promising to tell Pinkerton of the child. A cannon shot is heard in the harbor announcing the arrival of Pinkerton’s ship, the “Abraham Lincoln.” Overjoyed, Cio-Cio-San joins Suzuki in strewing the house with flowers. As night falls, they keep vigil, waiting through the night for Pinkerton.
Act III
At dawn, Suzuki insists that Cio-Cio-San get some sleep. Sharpless appears with Pinkerton and Kate, Pinkerton’s new wife. Suzuki realizes who the American woman is and agrees to help break the news. Pinkerton is overcome with guilt and runs from the scene. Cio-Cio-San rushes in hoping to find Pinkerton, but sees Kate instead. After a moment, she grasps the situation. She agrees to give up the child but insists Pinkerton return for him. Once she dismisses everyone, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, reading the inscription, “It is better to die with honor than live without it.”