예술의전당 예매 페이지: http://www.sacticket.co.kr/SacHome/perform/detail?searchSeq=30177
관련기사:
http://newsculture.heraldcorp.com/sub_read.html?uid=97012§ion=sc158
http://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/1ODIR37QYB
↑ 이 기사는 참 좋은데, 무슨 광고가 지저분하게 많아. 광고 때문에 두 번은 못 읽을 듯.
의상에 대한 자세한 인터뷰가 실려 있으니, 의상이 주는 의미를 풍부히 감상하려면 참고하는 것이 좋겠다.
http://www.doctorsnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=116450
↑ 위의 기사는 이번 비비안 휴잇 연출 버전의 감상에
도움이 되는 정보가 많아서 사진과 함께 데려와 싣는다.
다 실은 것이 아니니, 못 다 실어온 정보를 원하는 분은 기사를 읽기를 권한다.
"이번 공연은 '또레 델 라고 푸치니 페스티벌' 공연작 '나비부인' 프로덕션 전체(무대·의상·소품·대소도구)를 그대로 공수해 온 작품이다. '또레 델 라고 푸치니 페스티벌'은 푸치니의 유언에 따라 설립된 푸치니 재단이 그를 기리기 위해 매년 여름에 개최하는 세계 3대 오페라 페스티벌 중 하나다. 1924년 푸치니가 죽은 뒤, 1930년에 처음 오페라 축제가 열렸으며 세계 최정상급의 오페라단과 오페라 가수들이 출연하는 국제적인 오페라 페스티벌로 유명하다. 해마다 푸치니 상을 수여하는데 세기의 소프라노 마리아 칼라스, 세계 3대 테너 파바로티·도밍고·카레라스 등 성악가뿐만 아니라 리카르도 무티·로린 마젤·리카르도 샤이 등 세계적인 지휘자와 프랑고 제피렐리·우디 알렌 등 연출가들도 이 상을 수상했고 2015년에는 테너 요나스 카우프만이 수상했다.
이번 공연은 전통적인 '나비부인'의 틀을 깨뜨린 새로운 시도의 파격적인 무대와 의상이 관전포인트로 전 세계 오페라 애호가들의 이목을 집중시켰다.
무대는 일본 유명 조각가 칸 야수다의 조각 작품으로 구성된 특정한 가치와 등장인물을 나타내는 네 개의 조각물로 새롭게 해석됐다. 네 개의 조각물은 초초상의 마음과 정신, 나비부인 그 자체와 이 세상에 잠시 머무는 덧없는 존재, 중력에 대한 반항과 저항이자 모든 인간의 영혼이 지금의 생과는 다른 차원으로 이동하기 위해 지나가야만 하는 불가능한 공간, 고통과 모욕으로부터 자유로워지는 죽음을 받아들이며 영혼으로 돌아가는 극적인 순간(뭐래 -_-)을 의미한다. 또한 순수하고 미니멀리스트한 형태로 제작된 무대와 의상은 색상을 최소화해 어둠에서도 빛나는 극적인 효과를 준다.
특히, 의상디자인을 맡은 레지나 쉬렉커는 1800년대 후반과 1900년대 초반의 일본 기모노와 서양 식민지 시대의 의상을 줄이고, 매우 인상적이리 만큼 아름다운 양귀비처럼 빨간 나비부인의 기모노가 큰 임팩트와 힘을 얻을 수 있도록 했으며 전통적인 기모노의 화려한 장식을 상징적인 의상으로 양식화해 시각적 효과를 극대화 하는 데 중점을 뒀다. (사진상으론 이 붉은 기모노는 맘에 든다.)
그리고 빛을 통해 등장인물이 겪는 내적 갈등과 외적 상황을 표현해 내는 조명은 빛의 마술사라 불리우는 조명 디자이너 발레리오 알피에리의 작품이다. 그는 지난 푸치니 페스티벌에서 선보인 오페라 '나비부인' 오리지널 버전을 통해 빛만으로도 완벽한 무대를 만들어냈다는 호평을 받았다. (공연을 다니다 보면 의외로 '조명'이 굉장히 중요함을 알게 된다. 그래서 기대가 크다.)
한편 이번 공연의 연출은 영국 출신의 비비안 휴잇으로 그녀는 뛰어난 예술적 기질을 유감없이 선보이며 오페라에 대한 새로운 제시와 해석을 선보인다. 이탈리아뿐 아니라 스페인·독일·프랑스·미국·일본 등 전 세계를 무대로 활동하고 있다.
지휘를 맡은 지휘자 까를로 골드스타인은 현재 국제적으로 가장 주목 받고 있는 젊은 지휘자 중 한 명이다. 지난 2014년 '카르멘', 2016년 '가면무도회'에 이어 이번 공연을 통해 한국 팬들을 다시 찾았다
무대위의 하이라이트 나비부인의 히로인인 초초상 역에는 지난 2016년 12월 밀라노 라 스칼라 무대에서 열린 '나비부인'에서 초초상으로 열연해 극찬 받은 소프라노 '리아나 알렉산얀'과 유럽전역에서 초초상으로 가장 활발하게 활동 중인 소프라노 '도나타 단눈지오 롬바르디'가 더블 캐스팅 됐다. 또 초초상에게 가슴 설레는 사랑과 크나큰 배신까지 함께 주는 핑커톤 역에는 테너 '레오나르도 카이미'와 밀라노 라 스칼라 극장을 비롯 세계적인 무대의 러브콜을 받는 '마시밀리아노 피사피아'가 맡았다. 공연은 런닝타임 2시간 40분(인터미션 포함)이다."
요는 미니멀리즘적으로 표현된 현대적 버전의 작품이라는 건데. '미니멀리즘', '현대적'이라는 평은 양날의 검이다. 유니버설이 올렸던 그램머피 <지젤>의 '현대적'은 '참신하고 감각적인', 이었으나, 작년인지 재작년인지에 보았던 오페라 <파우스트>의 미니멀리즘은ㅡ내게는ㅡ '무성의'였거든. 하긴, 현대적이라 하여 반드시 미니멀리즘적인 것은 아니나. 미니멀리즘이랍시고 편리하게 죄다 삭제해놓고는 어마어마한 썰을 변명으로 붙여놓는 것은 아닐지 걱정이 되긴 하는데, 아무래도 내가 지금 피곤해서 이렇게 부정적인 것 같다. 상태 좋게 보아야 제대로 감상을 할 텐데. <파우스트> 때 힘들었던 것은 바로 대사 때문이었다. 오페라를 보면 항상 그 부분이 힘들긴 해. 언제 제대로 그 이야기를 쓰고 싶은데 매번 에너지가 없네. -_ㅜ 암튼, 대사가 언어로 전달되기 때문에, 현대적인 무대와 의상에 예스러운 대사가 나오면 기괴한 더빙의 영화를 보는 기분이 들거든. 내가 언어에 다소 민감한 면이 있어 더욱 그런 것일 텐데. 암튼 기대 반, 걱정 반이다. 그나저나 휴잇 버전 동영상은 찾을 수가 없네.
비비안 휴잇 연출 좋았고
칸 야수다 무대 별로
알피에리 조명 좋았고
쉬렉커의 의상이 다 살렸다
ㅡ지극히 개인적인 평.
미니멀리즘이니 뭐니 해도 무대는 성의 없었다.
현대적이라는 게, 미니멀리즘이라는 게 있을 것만 있다는 것이지
'결핍'을 의미하는 건 아니잖아?
3막의 붉게 흩날리던 꽃잎은 초초상의 핏방울을 연상시키는 아름다운 장치였으나
엉뚱하게 '죽음을 받아들이는 관문 어쩌고...' 하면서 난 데 없이 설치된 문 형태의 무대장치는
오히려 처절한 초초상의 죽음의 미학을 집중해서 감상하는 데 방해가 되었다.
하얀 기모노에 선홍색 붉게 번지는 핏방울
ㅡ마지막 장면은 미시마 유키오의 <우국>을 연상시키는 그런 장면이었다면 훨씬 어울렸을 것이다.
1막과 ㅡ최소한ㅡ 2막에서는 초초상의 '집'이 있어야 했다. 집터 구조물 만으론 부족했다.
단순화된 형태였다 해도 '집'이 필요했어 남편을 하염없이 기다리는 초초상의 '집'이.
1막 날개 모양의 구조물은 박제 나비 이야기 부분에서 절묘한 효과를 냈지만,
그럼에도 불구하고 뒤에 '둘이 살 집'을 일본전통가옥을 극단순화시킨 형태로 설치했더라면 좋겠다 싶었다.
무대는 걱정했던 바대로 아쉬웠다.
그나마 초초상의 의상이 아름답고 간결해서 상쇄되었지만서도.
의상은 무대나 조명 없이, 기존의 무대에서도 얼마든 녹아들 수 있을 만큼 매력적이었다.
조명도, 1막 처음의 초초상을 상징하는 붉은 조명과, 초원을 상징하는 초록 조명,
어슴푸레한 새벽녘의 푸른 조명과 동터오는 비스듬한 노랑 조명,
그리고 마지막의 핏빛 조명에 이르기까지 나쁘지 않았다.
그러나 예당 오페라극장의 그 무한한 잠재성을 지닌 무대를 5%도 활용하지 못한 무대장치는 실망을 넘어선 것이었다.
섬세한 감정선에 집중하기 위해 무대를 단순화시켰다 이해해 보려 해도, 결핍이 컸다.
그 무대는 이 의상과 이 조명과 함께 해야만 겨우 겨우 납득이 가능한 그 어떤 것이었다.
아슬아슬한 마음으로 기대한 만큼 실망이 컸습니다.
배우분들.
롬바르디 (초초상) : 처음 등장했을 때, 전율이 일었다. 나비부인 전문 배우라 들었는데, 그 명성이 아깝지 않았다.
1막에선 등장 시의 고음이 너무 아련하고 아름다웠는데, 소리가 맑았지만 너무 작았다.
그런데 2, 3막을 보니, 일부러 그렇게 낸 것인 것 같았다. 15세의 가냘프고 어린 나비부인을 나타내기 위해서였던 듯.
1막에선 고음이 살짝 떠서 듣기 힘들었는데, 2, 3막에선 멀쩡했던 걸 보니
그 또한 일부러 15세의 서툰 마음을 표현하기 위해 그랬던 것 같기도 하고.
암튼, 강약을 자유자재로 조절하는 오페라 가수였다.
갈수록 황홀한 무대를 선사했고, 연기도 훌륭했다.
피사피아 (핑커튼) : 와... 깨끗한 테너. 울림 좋고, 힘있고, 깨끗한 테너였다.
목소리가 너무 명확하고 깨끗해서, 좀 더 들었으면 했는데 1막을 제외하곤 분량이 많지 않아 아쉬웠다.
제니스 (샤를레스) : 극 중 성격과 딱 맞는 따스한 목소리. 따뜻하고 정겹고 친절한 목소리가
등장할 때마다 큰 위로가 되었다.
백재은 (스즈키) : 메인 가수분들 중 유일한 한국인 오페라 가수로 알고 있는데.
낮게 깔리는 메조 특유의 안정감으로, 작품 내내 든든하고 풍성하게 초초상을 받쳐 주었다.
초초상과의 2중창에서는 넋이 연기처럼 꺼져 버릴 듯 아름다웠고.
롬바르디의 고음이 살짝 뜬 것 외 노래에 대해서는 아쉬움이 없다.
아름답고 황홀한 소리였습니다.
오늘의 최악은 관객이었다. 내 왼쪽 옆의 사람은 내내 몸을 앞으로 기울였으며
내 오른쪽 앞의 사람은 환ㅡ한 휴대폰 화면을 공연 도중 열어 놓은 채로 3분 넘게 카톡을 했고
ㅡ참다 못해 내가 '휴대폰 꺼주세요'라고 부탁했어야 했다ㅡ
오른쪽 사람은 1, 2막 내내 휴대폰 화면은 밝지 않았으나 실시간 카톡하느라 진동이 부르르 부르르 울리는 통에...
연속으로 15회 이상 울린 적도 있어서는 결국 내가 손으로 휴대폰을 살짝 가렸다. 그랬더니 그 이후 쿨쿨 잠들었던.
대체 왜 온 것일까?? ㅡ 궁금했다.
그놈의 부르르 때문에 가장 기다렸던 하이라이트 [어떤 갠 날 Un bel di,vedremo] 이 방해를 받아 짜증지수가 치솟았다.
맘 같아선 '계속 카톡 하실 거면 공연 나가 주세요'라고 말하고 싶었으나,
아직 어렸어서, 혹시 그랬다가 오페라 자체에 흥미를 잃게 될까봐 꾹 참고서
3막이 되어서야 조용히 '끄시는 게 좋을 것 같아요'라고 말했는데, 내내 궁금했다.
그렇게 폰을 계속 보다가 졸 것이면 왜 그 자리를 지키고 있는 것인지.
엄마가 보내지 않았을까? 본인은 오페라를 보지도 않으면서.
마치 자신은 책을 읽지 않으면서 자녀에게 책 읽으라, 공부하라, 잔소리 하는 기괴한 부모들처럼 말이다.
4층에서 볼 수 있는 샹들리에는 참 아름답습니다.
나비 부인
[Madam Butterfly ]목차
제1막
나가사키 항구가 내려다보이는 아름다운 별장이다. 미 해군 중위 핀커톤과 결혼 중매인 고로는 하녀 스즈키와 사환들의 인사를 받으면서 흐뭇해한다. 말하자면 피커톤과 나비 부인은 이 집에서 결혼하게 된 것이다. 고로는 신부가 도착하는 것을 기다리다가 나가사키 주재 영사가 들어오는 소리를 듣고 기뻐하면서 맞이한다. 그러나 영사 샤르플레스는 일시적 충동으로 하는 결혼은 불행한 일을 초래할 수가 있다면서 충고를 하지만, 핀커톤은 주의를 기울이지 않는다.
얼마 후, 신부의 행렬이 가까이 이르렀음을 알리는 합창소리가 들린다. 고로는 신부의 아름다움을 자랑하며 자신의 안목을 자화자찬한다. 핀거톤은 신부를 빨리 영접하기 위해 서두른다. 드디어 신부를 맞이하여 친구들에게 나비 부인을 소개하는데, 나이는 15세, 선조는 부유한 가정이었으나 지금은 몰락하여 어머니를 보살피기 위해서 기생이 되었다고 말한다. 연회가 시작되자, 나비 부인은 핀커톤에게 자신의 부친에게 물려받은 유물을 보여주고 기도하면서 개종할 결심을 이야기한다.
결혼식 연회가 마무리될 무렵, 그녀의 아저씨가 나타난다. 승려인 그는 그녀가 이제까지 신봉해 왔던 종친에서 개종하는 것을 비난하고 결혼에 반대한다. 그리고 친지들에게 그녀를 더 이상 가족으로 취급하지 말라고 명령한다. 나비 부인이 비통한 울음을 터뜨리자, 핀커톤은 화를 내면서 연회에 참석한 모든 사람들에게 빨리 이 집에서 나가줄 것을 명한다. 그리고는 길고도 아름다운 사랑의 장면을 연출하며 [저녁이 온다네 Viene la sera]의 2중창을 부른다. 이어서 [달콤한 밤이여! 수많은 별들이여! Dolce notte! Quante stelle!]라는 아리아로 절정을 이룬다. 핀커톤은 나비 부인을 안고 방안으로 들어간다.
제2막
나비 부인의 방이다. 어느덧 3년이란 세월이 흘렀다. 오래 전에 이곳을 떠나버린 핀커톤이 되돌아오기를 기원하면서, 무릎을 꿇고 기도를 드리는 나비 부인의 모습이 보인다. 그녀는 [울새는 자기의 보금자리에 되돌아오지 Quando fa la nidiata il pettirosso]라고 말하면서 돌아오겠다던 핀커톤의 약속을 믿고 있지만, 그녀의 하녀인 스즈키는 아마도 그가 영영 돌아오지 않을 것이라는 암시를 주려고 노력한다. 그러나 나비 부인은 [어떤 갠 날 Un bel di,vedremo]이라는 유명한 아리아를 부르며 자신의 하녀에게 그럴리가 없다고 대꾸한다.
[어떤 갠 날 Un bel di,vedremo]
그때 마침 샤르플레스가 핀커톤에게서 온 편지를 들고 등장한다. 편지에는 그가 미국인 여자와 결혼했으며, 나가사키에 돌아올 예정이지만 나비 부인을 만나러 오는 것은 아니라고 씌어있었다. 샤르플레스는 그에게서 온 편지를 발견하고서 기뻐 어쩔 줄 몰라하는 그녀의 모습을 보자, 편지를 끝까지 읽어줄 용기가 나지 않아 머뭇거린다.
그때 고로가 등장하여 그들 사이에 끼어든다. 그는 나비 부인에게 부유한 야마도리와 재혼하도록 종용한다. 기다렸다는 듯이 샤르플레스도 그녀에게 결혼에 승낙하라고 충고하지만 그녀는 핀커톤의 아이를 핑계삼아 곤란하다고 대답한다. 그녀는 그들에게 [그대는 아시나요, 무정한 사람이 말하는 것을 Sai cos'ebbe cuore]이라는 노래를 들려줌으로써 강력히 거부한다. 샤르플레스는 자기의 충고가 아무런 소용이 없음을 깨닫고 돌아선다.
이때 항구에서 핀커톤이 탄 배가 도착하였음을 알리는 축포소리가 들려온다. 나비 부인은 흥분하여 스즈키를 부르고는, 그들은 [꽃의 2중창]과 [벚꽃나무의 가지를 흔들어라 Scuotiquella fronda di ciliegio]라는 아리아를 사랑스럽게 부르면서 그가 돌아와 기거할 방을 꽃으로 장식한다. 노래가 끝나자, 나비 부인은 거울 앞에 앉아 화장을 한다. 아이에게 옷을 입힌 다음, 자기도 결혼식 때 입었던 옷으로 감회 깊게 갈아입고는 핀커톤을 기다린다. 저녁이 되자, 스즈키와 아이는 피곤에 지쳐 잠이 들고, 창문 저편에는 달빛이 점차 흐려지건만 나비 부인은 조각과 같이 그대로 앉은 채 창 밖을 내다본다. 막이 천천히 내린다.
아침이 되자, 나비 부인은 잠자고 있는 그녀의 아이를 다른 방으로 옮겨 놓으면서 자장가를 부른다. 스즈키는 그녀에게 조금이라도 잠을 청하라고 말을 건네며 나온다. 이때 핀커톤이 미국인 부인인 케이트와 샤르플레스를 동행하고 정원으로 들어온다. 스즈키는 놀라서 어쩔 줄 몰라하다가, 핀커톤과 샤르플레스와 더불어 나비 부인의 마음의 상처를 노래하는 3중창을 부른다. 핀커톤은 나비 부인이 얼마나 자신을 열렬히 사랑했는가를 깨닫는다. 그러면서 이별을 고하는 [안녕, 꽃이 피는 사랑의 집 Addio, fiorito asil]의 아리아를 부르고는, 더 이상 그녀를 마주 대할 수 없음을 알고 도망쳐 버린다. 케이트는 스즈키에게 아기를 자신에게 맡겨주면 친자식처럼 키우겠다고 말하자, 그녀는 그러면 나비 부인이 너무 불쌍하다고 슬퍼한다.
[안녕, 꽃이 피는 사랑의 집 Addio, fiorito asil]
그때 나비 부인이 스즈키를 부르며 나오다가 사태를 짐작하고 놀란다. 그녀는 절망하면서 케이트에게 핀커톤이 오면 30분 후에 아이를 양도해 주겠다고 약속한다. 아이와 함께 둘이 남게 된 나비 부인은 아이의 눈을 가린 뒤에 손에다 성조기를 쥐어준다. 아이는 아무 것도 모르고 즐거운 듯 깃발을 흔들며 앉아 있다.
이윽고 그녀는 그녀의 아버지가 단검에 새겼던 [명예롭게 살 수 없을 때는 명예롭게 죽어라Con onor muore chinon pu serbar vita con onore]라는 문구를 읽고는 그 단검으로 자신을 찔러 목숨을 끊는다. 이때 핀커톤이 등장하여 나비 부인의 자결한 모습을 보고는 울부 짖으며 "나비 부인, 나비 부인"하고 외치는 가운데 막이 내린다.
[명예롭게 살 수 없을 때는 명예롭게 죽어라Con onor muore chinon pu serbar vita con onore]
[네이버 지식백과] 나비 부인 [Madam Butterfly] (명작 오페라 해설, 2003. 10. 15., 삼호뮤직)
모든 오페라나 발레, 옛날 글의 주제나 소재는 똑같다.
뜬금 없는 여성의 희생이지.
지친다, 이런 주제.
남성중심적 세계관이 지배해온 이 세계에서 여성으로 사는 것은
참 아프고 지긋지긋한 일이야.
자아, 즐기자!
즐기자, 예술을!
예술과 같은 이 삶을!
MADAMA BUTTERFLAY
Butterfly - MARIA CALLAS
Pinkerton - NICOLAI GEDDA
Sharpless - MARIO BORRIELLO
Suzuki - LUCIA DANIELI
Goro - RENATO ERCOLANI
Yamadori - MARIO CARLIN
Bonzo - PLINIO CLABASSI
Direttore - HERBERT VON KARAJAN
Teatro alla Scala - 1955
이야, 스압 굉장하겠군.;;
아래에 싣는 대본의 출처: http://jdspc.com/madama_butterfly_libretto_act_I.html
L. ILLICA & G. GIACOSA; (R. H. ELKIN) / GIACOMO PUCCINIMadam ButterflyAct IA Japanese house, terrace and garden. The curtain rises. Pinkerton [surprised at all he has seen, says to Goro:] Goro [enjoying Pinkerton's surprise] Pinkerton [looking around] Goro [pointing in two directions] Pinkerton Goro [showing the terrace] Pinkerton [amazed] Goro [makes the partition slide out towards the terrace] Pinkerton [whilst Goro is making the partitions slide out] Goro Pinkerton Goro [protesting] Pinkerton [Goro claps his hands loudly three times] Goro [in rather nasal tones, pointing to them] Pinkerton [impatiently] Goro [pointing to Suzuki] Pinkerton Suzuki [still on her knees, but grown bolder, raises her head] Goro [perceiving that Pinkerton begins to be bored at Suzuki's loquacity, claps his hands thrice] Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Sharpless [from within, rather far off] Goro [who has run to the background, announces:] Sharpless [enters, quite out of breath] Pinkerton [goes to meet the Consul: they shake hands] Goro [to the Consul] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless [panting and looking around] Pinkerton [Pointing to the view] Sharpless [looking at the sea and the town below] Pinkerton [pointing to the house] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Pinkerton [frankly] Sharpless Pinkerton [continuing] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Sharpless [Goro, who has overheard, approaches the terrace eagerly and officiously] Goro [The Consul laughingly declines] Pinkerton [very impatiently] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless [seriously and kindly] Pinkerton Pinkerton [offers him more to drink] Sharpless Sharpless [raises his glass] Pinkerton [also raises his glass] / Goro [reappears, running breathlessly up the hill] [Pinkerton and Sharpless retire to the back of the garden, and look out at the path on the hillside] Girl Friends (SA) Butterfly [to her friends] Girl Friends (SA) [close their sunshades and go down on their knees] [They all rise and ceremoniously approach Pinkerton] Butterfly Girl Friends (S) [curtseying] Pinkerton [smiling] Butterfly [measuredly] Pinkerton [rather sarcastically, but not unkindly] Butterfly [ingenuously] Pinkerton Butterfly [anxious to show off her stock of compliments] Pinkerton Sharpless [after scanning the group of maidens with curiosity, approaches Butterfly, who listens to him attentively] Butterfly Girl Friends (S) [assenting with alacrity] Butterfly [quite simply] Girl Friends (S) [corroborating her] Butterfly Pinkerton [has listened with interest and turns to Sharpless] Sharpless [he also is interested in Butterfly's prattle, and continues to question her] Butterfly Goro [importantly] Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly [stops short in surprise, then answers very shortly] The friends hang their heads. Goro is embarassed. They all fans themselves nervously. Butterfly [to break the painful silence, Butterfly turns to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [with exaggerated surprise] Girl Friends (S) Goro Pinkerton Butterfly Girl Friends (S) Butterfly [Kind-heartedly trying to hush them up] Girl Friends (S) Pinkerton Butterfly [mortified] Pinkerton [while Pinkerton is speaking with Butterfly, Goro leads Sharpless up to the friends and cerimoniously introduces some of them to the Consul.] Sharpless [returning to Butterfly] Butterfly [with almost childish coquetry] Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Pinkerton [To Goro, who claps his hands, summoning the three servants, who come running out from the house] [Having received fresh orders from Pinkerton, Goro is jsut going into the house himself, when he perceives some more people climbing the hill; he goes to look, then runs to announce the new arrivals to Pinkerton and Sharpless] Goro [announces importantly] Pinkerton From the path in the background Butterfly's relations are seen climbing the hill and passing along: Butterfly and her friends go to meet them: deep bows and kowtowing: the relatiosn stare curiously at the two Americans. Pinkerton has taken Sharpless by the arm, and leading him to one side, laughingly makes him look at the quaint group of relations. Pinkerton Relations and friends (4 only) (S) [to Butterfly] Butterfly, Relations and friends (4 others) (AA) [pointing to Pinkerton] / A Cousin / Cousin [to Butterfly] Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST) [to the Cousin] Goro [annoyed at the idle chatter, goes from one to another, entreating them to lower their voices] Uncle Yakusidé [staring at the servants who are bringing wines and liquors] The Mother [leering, trying to keep out of sight], the Aunt / Relations and friends (4 special ones) (S) [with satisfaction, to Yakusidé] Goro [tries again to stop their chatter, then he signs them to be silent] Sharpless [to Pinkerton, aside] [at signs from Goro the relations and guest crowd together in a bunch, but still chattering excitedly] / Relations and friends and the Cousin (S) Sharpless Butterfly [Butterfly introduces her relations to Pinkerton, whilst the others note with marked satisfaction the liquors and sweetmeats which have been spread] Butterfly Pinkerton The Mother Butterfly Pinkerton [giving the child a playful smack; the latter draws back timidly] The Cousin [bowing] Butterfly Pinkerton Relations and Friends (SAT) [pushing Yakusidé forward] Yakusidé [laughing] Relations and Friends (one half) (ST) [to Pinkerton] Relations and Friends (the other half) (ST) Yakusidé Pinkerton [thanks them all, and to get rid of them shows them the delicacies spread out, then he turns to Sharpless again] [Goro accompanies the Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar to the table with writing materials. The Consul examines the papers and gets the bond ready.] Pinkerton [gently, offering Butterfly some sweetmeats, while the Mother and the Cousin rise and join the rest of the relatives] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [pointing to her sleeves] Pinkerton [rather astonished, smiles, then quickly and gallantly reassures her] Butterfly [empties her sleeves, placing their contents one by one on a stool] Pinkerton [sees a jar] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [very gravely] Pinkerton [curiously] Butterfly Goro [who has approached, whispers to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [softly to Goro] Goro Butterfly [takes some images from her sleeves and shows them to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [takes one and examines it with curiosity] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [leads Pinkerton to one side and says to him in respectfully confidential tones:] Goro [Meanwhile Goro has approached the Consul, and having received his orders, thunders forth in stentorian tones:] [The chattering ceases: they all leave off eating and drinking and come forward in a circle, listening with much interest. Pinkerton and Butterfly stand in the centre.] The Commissioner [reads out] Goro [with much unction] [The friends approach Butterfly full of congratulations and deep bows] Girl Friends (S) Butterfly [corrects them, with finger raised] [The friends cluster round Butterfly and congratulate her: meanwhile the Registrar removes the bond and the other papers, then informs the Commissioner that the ceremony is over.] The Commissioner [congratulating Pinkerton] Pinkerton The Commissioner [approaches the Consul] Sharpless Pinkerton The Registrar [Taking leave of Pinkerton] Pinkerton [The Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar depart, to go down to the town] Sharpless [Comes back again and says to Pinkerton in significant tones] [Pinkerton reassures him with a gesture and gives him a friendly wave of the hand] Pinkerton [Returns to the front, and says to himself, rubbing his hands:] Yakusidé Pinkerton [giving him the bottle] Friends (some) (T) [making fun of Yakusidé] Yakusidé [pompously, without heeding the mockers] Relations and Friends (S) [mocking him] Relations and Friends (T) Pinkerton [is about to mix some drink for Butterfly's mother] Butterfly [stops him pouring out] Pinkerton [turning from one to another and offering] Yakusidé [coming forward eagerly] Relations and Friends (half) (S) [drive Yakusidé away] Goro [to Pinkerton, so that he may not encourage the drunkard too much] Pinkerton [to the child, giving him a lot of sweets] Chorus (S) [toasting] Her uncle, the Bonze [from the distance] Butterfly, Chorus (ST) [amazed] / Goro [annoyed at the Bonze's arrival] The Bonze [coming nearer] The Bonze [at the sight of Butterfly, who stands isolated from the rest, the Bonze stretches out his hands threateningly towards her] Chorus and the Cousin (ST) Pinkerton [angry at the scene made by the Bonze] The Bonze Friends and relations (ST) [anxiously, turning to Butterfly] The Bonze Chorus (SATT) [scandolized, shouting long and loud] The Bonze Chorus (ST) [shouting] The Bonze [hurls imprecations at Butterfly, who hides her face in her hands: her mother comes forward to protect her, but the Bonze pushes her away roughly, and approaches Butterfly in a fury, shouting in her face:] Chorus (ST) The Bonze Pinkerton [has lost patience, and intervenes between the Bonze and Butterfly] The Bonze [at the sound of Pinkerton's voice the Bonze stops short in amazement, then with a sudden resolve he invites relations and friends to come away] [all retire hastily to the back and stretch their arms towards Butterfly] Yakusidé and The Bonze, Chorus and Cousin (ST) Pinkerton [authoritatively ordering all to depart] Chorus (ST) [shout] [at Pinkerton's words, they all rush hastily towards the path which leads down to the town: Butterfly's mother again tries to approach her, but is dragged away by the others] Chorus (ST) [as they go out] [By degrees the voices grow faint in the distance.Butterfly remains motionless and silent, her face buried in her hands, whilst Pinkerton has gone to the top of the path, to make sure that all these troublesome guest have really gone] The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T) Chorus (S) The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T) Relations and friends (S) [emphatically] The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (ST) [emphatically] Chorus (ST) [evening begins to close in] Chorus (S) [very far off] [Butterfly burst into childish tears. Pinkerton hears her and anxiously hastens to her side, supporting her in her fainting condition and tenderly taking her hands from her tearful face] Pinkerton Chorus (S) [very far away] Butterfly [holding her ears, so as not to hear the shouts] Pinkerton [cheering her] Butterfly [smiling with childlike pleasure] Pinkerton [gently stopping her] Butterfly Suzuki [within] [murmuring] Pinkerton [wondering at the subdued murmurs] Butterfly [Evening draws in more and more and Pinkerton leads Butterfly towards the house] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton [Pinkerton claps his hands thrice: the servants and Suzuki hasten in and Pinkerton orders:] [the servants silently slide along several partitions] Butterfly [with deep feeling to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [laughing] Butterfly [to Suzuki, who has come in with the servants is awaiting orders] [Suzuki rummages in a trunk and gives Butterfly her night attire and a small box with toilet requirements.] Suzuki [bowing low to Pinkerton] [Pinkerton claps his hands, the servants run away]. Butterfly Pinkerton [raises Butterfly gently, and goes out with her on the terrace] Butterfly [goes down from the terrace, Pinkerton follows her] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [reticently] Pinkerton Butterfly [resuming, simply] Pinkerton [encouraging her to go on] Butterfly [Butterfly has a sudden panic and puts her hands to her ears, as though she still heard her relatives shouting; then she rallies and once more turns confidingly to Pinkerton.] Siete [Night has closed in completely: the sky is unclouded and closely strewn with stars] Butterfly [slowly drawing nearer to Pinkerton] [tenderly, almost beseechingly] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling] Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms] Pinkerton Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured] Pinkerton Butterfly Butterfly Butterfly [They go up from the garden into the house]. The curtain falls. End of Act I. 29 Mar 2009 | L. ILLICA & G. GIACOSA; R. H. ELKIN / GIACOMO PUCCINIMadam ButterflyAct I.A Japanese house, terrace and garden. The curtain rises. Pinkerton [surprised at all he has seen, says to Goro:] Goro [enjoying Pinkerton's surprise] Pinkerton [looking around] Goro [pointing in two directions] Pinkerton Goro [showing the terrace] Pinkerton [amazed] Goro [makes the partition slide out towards the terrace] Pinkerton [whilst Goro is making the partitions slide out] Goro Pinkerton Goro [protesting] Pinkerton [Goro claps his hands loudly three times] Goro [in rather nasal tones, pointing to them] Pinkerton [impatiently] Goro [pointing to Suzuki] Pinkerton Suzuki [still on her knees, but grown bolder, raises her head] Goro [perceiving that Pinkerton begins to be bored at Suzuki's loquacity, claps his hands thrice] Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Goro Pinkerton Sharpless [from within, rather far off] Goro [who has run to the background, announces:] Sharpless [enters, quite out of breath] Pinkerton [goes to meet the Consul: they shake hands] Goro [to the Consul] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless [panting and looking around] Pinkerton [Pointing to the view] Sharpless [looking at the sea and the town below] Pinkerton [pointing to the house] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Pinkerton [frankly] Sharpless Pinkerton [continuing] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Sharpless [Goro, who has overheard, approaches the terrace eagerly and officiously] Goro [The Consul laughingly declines] Pinkerton [very impatiently] Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless [seriously and kindly] Pinkerton Pinkerton [offers him more to drink] Sharpless Sharpless [raises his glass] Pinkerton [also raises his glass] / Goro [reappears, running breathlessly up the hill] [Pinkerton and Sharpless retire to the back of the garden, and look out at the path on the hillside] Girl Friends (SA) Butterfly [to her friends] Girl Friends (SA) [close their sunshades and go down on their knees.] [They all rise and ceremoniously approach Pinkerton] Butterfly Girl Friends (S) [curtseying] Pinkerton [smiling] Butterfly [measuredly] Pinkerton [rather sarcastically, but not unkindly] Butterfly [ingenuously] Pinkerton Butterfly [anxious to show off her stock of compliments] Pinkerton Sharpless [after scanning the group of maidens with curiosity, approaches Butterfly, who listens to him attentively] Butterfly Girl Friends (S) [assenting with alacrity] Butterfly [quite simply] Girl Friends (S) [corroborating her] Butterfly Pinkerton [has listened with interest and turns to Sharpless] Sharpless [he also is interested in Butterfly's prattle, and continues to question her] Butterfly Goro [importantly] Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly [stops short in surprise, then answers very shortly] [The friends hang their heads. Goro is embarassed. They all fan themselves nervously.] Butterfly [to break the painful silence, Butterfly turns to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [with exaggerated surprise] Girl Friends (S) Goro Pinkerton Butterfly Girl Friends (S) Butterfly [Kind-heartedly trying to hush them up] Girl Friends (S) Pinkerton Butterfly [mortified] Pinkerton [while Pinkerton is speaking with Butterfly, Goro leads Sharpless up to the friends and ceremoniously introduces some of them to the Consul.] Sharpless [returning to Butterfly] Butterfly [with almost childish coquetry] Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Pinkerton Sharpless Pinkerton Pinkerton [To Goro, who claps his hands, summoning the three servants, who come running out from the house.] [Having received fresh orders from Pinkerton, Goro is just going into the house himself, when he perceives some more people climbing the hill; he goes to look, then runs to announce the new arrivals to Pinkerton and Sharpless] Goro [announces importantly] Pinkerton [From the path in the background Butterfly's relations are seen climbing the hill and passing along: Butterfly and her friends go to meet them: deep bows and kowtowing: the relations stare curiously at the two Americans. Pinkerton has taken Sharpless by the arm, and leading him to one side, laughingly makes him look at the quaint group of relations.] Pinkerton Relations and friends (4 only) (S) [to Butterfly] Butterfly, Relations and friends (4 others) (AA) [pointing to Pinkerton] / A Cousin / Cousin [to Butterfly] Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST) [to the Cousin] Goro [annoyed at the idle chatter, goes from one to another, entreating them to lower their voices] Uncle Yakusidé [staring at the servants who are bringing wines and liquors] The Mother [leering, trying to keep out of sight], The Aunt / Relations and friends (4 special ones) (S) [with satisfaction, to Yakusidé] Goro [tries again to stop their chatter, then he signs them to be silent] Sharpless [to Pinkerton, aside] [at signs from Goro the relations and guests crowd together in a bunch, but still chattering excitedly.] / Relations and friends and the Cousin (S) Sharpless Butterfly [Butterfly introduces her relations to Pinkerton, whilst the others note with marked satisfaction the liquors and sweetmeats which have been spread] Butterfly Pinkerton The Mother Butterfly Pinkerton [giving the child a playful smack; the latter draws back timidly] The Cousin [bowing] Butterfly Pinkerton Relations and Friends (SAT) [pushing Yakusidé forward] Yakusidé [laughing] Relations and Friends (one half) (ST) [to Pinkerton] Relations and Friends (the other half) (ST) Yakusidé Pinkerton [thanks them all, and to get rid of them shows them the delicacies spread out, then he turns to Sharpless again] [Goro accompanies the Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar to the table with writing materials. The Consul examines the papers and gets the bond ready.] Pinkerton [gently, offering Butterfly some sweetmeats, whilst the Mother and the Cousin rise and join the rest of the relatives.] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [pointing to her sleeves] Pinkerton [rather astonished, smiles, then quickly and gallantly reassures her] Butterfly [empties her sleeves, placing their contents one by one on a stool] Pinkerton [sees a jar] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [very gravely] Pinkerton [curiously] Butterfly Goro [who has approached, whispers to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [softly to Goro] Goro Butterfly [takes some images from her sleeves and shows them to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [takes one and examines it with curiosity] Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [leads Pinkerton to one side and says to him in respectfully confidential tones:] Goro [Meanwhile Goro has approached the Consul, and having received his orders, thunders forth in stentorian tones:] [The chattering ceases: they all leave off eating and drinking and come forward in a circle, listening with much interest. Pinkerton and Butterfly stand in the centre.] The Commissioner [reads out] Goro [with much unction] [The friends approach Butterfly full of congratulations and deep bows] Girl Friends (S) Butterfly [corrects them, with finger raised]. [The friends cluster round Butterfly and congratulate her: meanwhile the Registrar removes the bond and the other papers, then informs the Commissioner that the ceremony is over.] The Commissioner [congratulating Pinkerton] Pinkerton The Commissioner [approaches the Consul] Sharpless Pinkerton The Registrar [Taking leave of Pinkerton] Pinkerton [The Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar depart, to go down to the town] Sharpless [Comes back again and says to Pinkerton in significant tones] [Pinkerton reassures him with a gesture and gives him a friendly wave of the hand] Pinkerton [Returns to the front, and says to himself, rubbing his hands:] Yakusidé Pinkerton [giving him the bottle] Friends (some) (T) [making fun of Yakusidé] Yakusidé [pompously, without heeding the mockers] Relations and Friends (S) [mocking him] Relations and Friends (T) Pinkerton [is about to mix some drink for Butterfly's mother.] Butterfly [stops him pouring out] Pinkerton [turning from one to another and offering] Yakusidé [coming forward eagerly] Relations and Friends (half) (S) [drive Yakusidé away] Goro [to Pinkerton, so that he may not encourage the drunkard too much] Pinkerton [to the child, giving him a lot of sweets] Chorus (S) [toasting] Her uncle, the Bonze [from the distance] Butterfly [amazed] / Goro [annoyed at the Bonze's arrival] The Bonze [coming nearer] The Bonze [at the sight of Butterfly, who stands isolated from the rest, the Bonze stretches out his hands threateningly towards her] Chorus and the Cousin (ST) Pinkerton [angry at the scene made by the Bonze] The Bonze Friends and relations (ST) [anxiously, turning to Butterfly] The Bonze Chorus (SATT) [scandalized, shouting long and loud] The Bonze Chorus (ST) [shouting] The Bonze [hurls imprecations at Butterfly, who hides her face in her hands: her mother comes forward to protect her, but the Bonze pushes her away roughly, and approaches Butterfly in a fury, shouting in her face:] Chorus (ST) The Bonze Pinkerton [has lost patience, and intervenes between the Bonze and Butterfly] The Bonze [at the sound of Pinkerton's voice the Bonze stops short in amazement, then with a sudden resolve he invites relations and friends to come away] [all retire hastily to the back and stretch their arms towards Butterfly] Yakusidé and The Bonze, Chorus and Cousin (ST) Pinkerton [authoritatively ordering all to depart] Chorus (ST) [shout] [at Pinkerton's words, they all rush hastily towards the path which leads down to the town: Butterfly's mother again tries to approach her, but is dragged away by the others] Chorus (ST) [as they go out] [By degrees the voices grow faint in the distance. Butterfly remains motionless and silent, her face buried in her hands, whilst Pinkerton has gone to the top of the path, to make sure that all these troublesome guests have really gone] The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T) Chorus (S) The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T) Chorus (S) [emphatically] The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (ST) [emphatically] Chorus (ST) [evening begins to close in] Chorus (S) [very far off] [Butterfly burst into childish tears. Pinkerton hears her and anxiously hastens to her side, supporting her in her fainting condition and tenderly taking her hands from her tearful face] Pinkerton Chorus (S) [very far away] Butterfly [holding her ears, so as not to hear the shouts] Pinkerton [cheering her] Butterfly [smiling with childlike pleasure] Pinkerton [gently stopping her] Butterfly Suzuki [within] [murmuring] Pinkerton [wondering at the subdued murmurs] Butterfly [Evening draws in more and more and Pinkerton leads Butterfly towards the house] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton [Pinkerton claps his hands thrice: the servants and Suzuki hasten in and Pinkerton orders:] [the servants silently slide along several partitions] Butterfly [with deep feeling to Pinkerton] Pinkerton [laughing] Butterfly [to Suzuki, who has come in with the servants is awaiting orders] [Suzuki rummages in a trunk and gives Butterfly her night attire and a small box with toilet-requirements.] Suzuki [bowing low to Pinkerton] [Pinkerton claps his hands, the servants run away]. Butterfly Pinkerton [raises Butterfly gently, and goes out with her on the terrace] Butterfly [goes down from the terrace, Pinkerton follows her] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton Butterfly [reticently] Pinkerton Butterfly [resuming, simply] Pinkerton [encouraging her to go on] Butterfly [Butterfly has a sudden panic and puts her hands to her ears, as though she still heard her relatives shouting; then she rallies and once more turns confidingly to Pinkerton.] [Night has closed in completely; the sky is unclouded and closely strewn with stars] Butterfly [slowly drawing nearer to Pinkerton] [tenderly, almost beseechingly] Pinkerton Butterfly Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling] Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms] Pinkerton Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured] Pinkerton Butterfly Butterfly Butterfly [They go up from the garden into the house]. The curtain falls. End of Act I. |
Madam ButterflyAct IIInside Butterfly's HouseFirst PartThe curtain rises: - The curtains are drawn, leaving the room in semi-darkness. Suzuki, coiled up before the images of Buddha, is praying. From time to time she rings the prayer-bell. Butterfly is standing rigid and motionless near a screen. Suzuki [praying] Butterfly [without moving] [Suzuki rises, draws back the curtains and slides back the partition at the back, towards the garden] Butterfly [turns to Suzuki] [Suzuki goes to a small cabinet and opens a casket to look for some money] Suzuki [goes to Butterfly and shows her a very few coins] Butterfly [Suzuki puts back the money into the cabinet which she closes] Suzuki [sighing] Butterfly [with decision] Suzuki [shaking her head] Butterfly [vexed, approaches Suzuki] Suzuki Butterfly [rather annoyed and surprised at such ignorance] Suzuki [still far from covinced] Butterfly [furious, seizing hold of Suzuki] Suzuki [incredulously] Butterfly [insisting] Suzuki [to please her, she repeats, but mournfully] Butterfly [surprised] Un bel dì, vedremo [Butterfly dismisses Suzuki, who goes out of the door on the left. Butterfly looks after her sadly] [Goro and Sharpless appear inb the garden: Goro looks into the room, sees Butterfly through a window and says to Sharpless who is following him:] Sharpless [approaches and cautiously knocks at the door on the Right] Butterfly [corrects him without turning around] Sharpless [surprised] Butterfly [doing the honours of the house] Sharpless [Butterfly invites the Consul to sit near the table: Sharpless drops awkwardly onto a cushion: Butterfly sits down on the other side and smiles slyly behind her fan, on seeing the Consul's discomfort: then with great charm she asks him:] Sharpless [thanks with a smile] Butterfly [signs to Suzuki to prepare the pipe] Sharpless Butterfly [interrupting him, without noticing the letter] Sharpless [refusing] Butterfly [places the pipe on the table, and says very pressingly] Sharpless [rather annoyed, takes one] Butterfly [hands Sharpless a lighted taper] Sharpless [lights the cigarette, but then puts it down at once and showing her the letter, sits on the stool] Butterfly [with intense eagerness] Sharpless Butterfly [jumping up very joyfully] Sharpless Butterfly [sits down again] Sharpless [amazed] Butterfly Sharpless [Goro, who is sauntering round the garden, comes up on to the terrace and listens, unseen, to Butterfly] Butterfly Goro [coming forward and bowing obsequiously] Butterfly [to Goro, who bows again and goes to help Suzuki] Sharpless [confused] Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly [interrupts him, following her thoughts] Goro [intervenes, trying to justify himself and turning to Sharpless] [Beyond the terrace the Prince Yamadori is seen, followed by two servants carrying flowers] Butterfly [sees Yamadori and points him out to Sharpless with a smile] Yamadori enters with great pomp from the door on the Right, followed by his two servants: Goro and Suzuki run up to him eagerly and go on their knees and hands before him. Then Suzuki takes the flowers and places them in various vases. Butterfly Yamadori [to Sharpless] Butterfly [with graceful raillery] Yamadori Butterfly Yamadori Goro [pointing out Yamadori to Sharpless, with emphasis] Butterfly [seriously] Goro and Yamadori [to Sharpless] Butterfly [rising from the cushion] Goro Butterfly Goro Butterfly Goro Butterfly Sharpless [to himself] Butterfly [strenuously, and growing excited] Sharpless [embarrassed]. Butterfly [interrupts him, turning to Yamadori and Goro in triumph] [Butterfly goes up to Suzuki who has already made the tea, and pours it into the cups.] Yamadori [whispers to Sharpless] Sharpless [whispers] Goro [whispers to Sharpless and Yamadori] Yamadori [in despair] Sharpless [whispers to both] Butterfly [offering Sharpless tea] Yamadori [sighing] Butterfly Yamadori [Is going out, but returns into the room near Butterfly] Butterfly Yamadori, after having bowed to Sharpless, goes off sighing; he turns again with his hands on his heart, cutting a grotesque figure in the throes of love. The two servants follow him. Butterfly laughs again behind her fan and signs to Suzuki to remove the tea. Suzuki obeys, then retires to the back of the room. Sharpless Butterfly [taking the letter] Sharpless [reading] Butterfly [can no longer contain herself and exclaims joyfully] Sharpless [gravely] Butterfly [calming down again to listen] Sharpless Butterfly [interrupting the reading] Sharpless [resumes] Butterfly [very surprised, turning to Suzuki] Sharpless [to himself] Butterfly [taking the letter from Sharpless' hands exclaims very tenderly] Sharpless [takes the letter back and boldly resumes reading though his voice is trembling with emotion] Butterfly [anxious, but joyful] Sharpless Butterfly [rises, jumping for joy and clapping her hands] Sharpless [taking a deep breath] [Butterfly, motionless as tho' she had received a death-blow, bows her head and replies with childlike submissiveness, almost stammering] [Sharpless is deeply moved and walks up and down excitedly; then he turns to Butterfly, takes her hands in his and says to her with fatherly tenderness] Butterfly [in a voice broken by weeping, and withdrawing her hands] Sharpless [embarrased] Butterfly [claps her hands and Suzuki hastens in] Sharpless [is on the point of going out] [Butterfly, repenting, runs to Sharpless sobbing and holds him back] Sharpless [making excuses] Butterfly [mournfully, laying her hand on her heart] Butterfly [Butterfly returns triumphantly carrying her baby on her left shoulder, and shows him to Sharpless full of pride] Butterfly Sharpless [with emotion] Butterfly [pointing to each feature] Sharpless [more and more moved] Butterfly Sharpless [cannot restrain his tears] [Butterfly rises to her feet and with a charming gesture gives Sharpless her hand; he shakes it cordially with both of his] Butterfly [turning to the child] Sharpless [taking the child in his arms] Butterfly [to the baby, with childlike grace] Sharpless Suzuki [from outside, shouting] [Suzuki enters dragging in Goro roughly, who tries to escape] Butterfly [to Suzuki] Suzuki Goro [protesting in frightened tones] Butterfly [wild cry] Butterfly [in wild tones] Suzuki [thrusts herself between them; then horrified at such a scene, she takes the child and carries him into the room on the left] Butterfly [seized with disgust she pushes him away with her foot] [Butterfly remains motionless as though petrified.] Butterfly [letting her thoughts fly to her child] [* a cannon shot] Suzuki [coming in breathlessly] Butterfly Suzuki [soothing her] Butterfly [returns to the room with Suzuki] Suzuki Butterfly Suzuki [from the terrace] Butterfly [gaily to Suzuki] Suzuki [still on the terrace] Butterfly Suzuki [from the garden] Butterfly [taking the flowers from Suzuki's hands] [Butterfly distributes the flowers about the room, while Suzuki goes down into the garden again] Suzuki [from the garden] Butterfly Suzuki [reappears on the terrace, laden with flowers] Butterfly Suzuki Butterfly / Butterfly [scattering flowers] Suzuki Butterfly Butterfly, Suzuki [scattering flowers while they sway their bodies lightly to and fro to the rhythm in a dance measure] [Butterfly and Suzuki bring toilet requirements] Butterfly [to Suzuki] Suzuki [caresing Butterfly's head to sooth her] Butterfly [pensively] Suzuki [urging her to keep quiet] Butterfly [following up an idea she has had] Suzuki [has finished her toilet] Butterfly [to Suzuki] [the night grows darker] Butterfly makes three holes in the shosi: one high up for herself, one lower down for Suzuki and a third lower still for the child whom she seats on a cushion, signing to him to look through his hole. Suzuki crouches down and also gazes out. Butterfly stands in front of the highest hole and gazes through it, remaining rigid and motionless as a statue: the baby, who is between his mother and Suzuki, peeps out curiously. [It is night, the rays of the moon light up the shosi from without] Chorus (ST) [within, from far off] [humming] [The baby falls asleep, sinking down on his cushion; Suzuki still in her crouching position, falls asleep too: Butterfly alone remains rigid and motionless]. [The curtain falls slowly] End of Act II First Part.
23 Sep 2005 | L. ILLICA & G. GIACOSA; R. H. ELKIN / GIACOMO PUCCINIMadam ButterflyAct II.Inside Butterfly's House.First Part.The curtain rises: - The curtains are drawn, leaving the room in semi-darkness. Suzuki, coiled up before the images of Buddha, is praying. From time to time she rings the prayer-bell. Butterfly is standing rigid and motionless near a screen. Suzuki [praying] Butterfly [without moving] [Suzuki rises, draws back the curtains and slides back the partition at the back, towards the garden]. Butterfly [turns to Suzuki] [Suzuki goes to a small cabinet and opens a casket to look for some money] Suzuki [goes to Butterfly and shows her a very few coins] Butterfly [Suzuki puts back the money into the cabinet which she closes] Suzuki [sighing] Butterfly [with decision] Suzuki [shaking her head] Butterfly [vexed, approaches Suzuki] Suzuki Butterfly [rather annoyed and surprised at such ignorance] Suzuki [still far from convinced] Butterfly [furious, seizing hold of Suzuki] Suzuki [incredulously] Butterfly [insisting] Suzuki [to please her, she repeats, but mournfully] Butterfly [surprised] One fine day we'll notice [Butterfly dismisses Suzuki, who goes out of the door on the left. Butterfly looks after her sadly] [Goro and Sharpless appear in the garden: Goro looks into the room, sees Butterfly through a window and says to Sharpless who is following him:] Sharpless [approaches and cautiously knocks at the door on the Right] Butterfly [corrects him without turning round] Sharpless [surprised] Butterfly [doing the honours of the house] Sharpless [Butterfly invites the Consul to sit near the table: Sharpless drops awkwardly onto a cushion: Butterfly sits down on the other side and smiles slyly behind her fan, on seeing the Consul's discomfort: then with great charm she asks him:] Sharpless [thanks with a smile] Butterfly [signs to Suzuki to prepare the pipe] Sharpless Butterfly [interrupting him, without noticing the letter] Sharpless [refusing] Butterfly [places the pipe on the table, and says very pressingly] Sharpless [rather annoyed, takes one] Butterfly [hands Sharpless a lighted taper] Sharpless [lights the cigarette, but then puts it down at once and showing her the letter, sits on the stool] Butterfly [with intense eagerness] Sharpless Butterfly [jumping up very joyfully] Sharpless Butterfly [sits down again] Sharpless [amazed] Butterfly Sharpless [Goro, who is sauntering round the garden, comes up on to the terrace and listens, unseen, to Butterfly] Butterfly Goro [coming forward and bowing obsequiously] Butterfly [to Goro, who bows again and goes to help Suzuki] Sharpless [confused] Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly Sharpless Butterfly [interrupts him, following her thoughts] Goro [Intervenes, trying to justify himself and turning to Sharpless.] [Beyond the terrace the Prince Yamadori is seen, followed by two servants carrying flowers.] Butterfly [sees Yamadori and points him out to Sharpless with a smile] Yamadori enters with great pomp from the door on the Right, followed by his two servants: Goro and Suzuki run up to him eagerly and go on their knees and hands before him. Then Suzuki takes the flowers and places them in various vases. Butterfly Yamadori [to Sharpless] Butterfly [with graceful raillery] Yamadori Butterfly Yamadori Goro [pointing out Yamadori to Sharpless, with emphasis] Butterfly [seriously] Goro and Yamadori [to Sharpless] Butterfly [rising from the cushion] Goro Butterfly Goro Butterfly Goro Butterfly Sharpless [to himself] Butterfly [strenuously, and growing excited] Sharpless [embarrassed]. Butterfly [interrupts him, turning to Yamadori and Goro in triumph] [Butterfly goes up to Suzuki who has already made the tea, and pours it into the cups.] Yamadori [whispers to Sharpless]. Sharpless [whispers] Goro [whispers to Sharpless and Yamadori]. Yamadori [in despair]. Sharpless [whispers to both] Butterfly [offering Sharpless tea] Yamadori [sighing]. Butterfly Yamadori [Is going out, but returns into the room near Butterfly]. Butterfly Yamadori, after having bowed to Sharpless, goes off sighing; he turns again with his hands on his heart, cutting a grotesque figure in the throes of love. The two servants follow him. Butterfly laughs again behind her fan and signs to Suzuki to remove the tea. Suzuki obeys, then retires to the back of the room. Sharpless Butterfly [taking the letter] Sharpless [reading] Butterfly [can no longer contain herself and exclaims joyfully] Sharpless [gravely] Butterfly [calming down again to listen] Sharpless Butterfly [interrupting the reading] Sharpless [resumes] Butterfly [very surprised, turning to Suzuki] Sharpless [to himself] Butterfly [taking the letter from Sharpless' hands exclaims very tenderly:] Sharpless [takes the letter back and boldly resumes reading though his voice is trembling with emotion] Butterfly [anxious, but joyful] Sharpless Butterfly [rises, jumping for joy and clapping her hands] Sharpless [taking a deep breath] [Butterfly, motionless as tho' she had received a death-blow, bows her head and replies with childlike submissiveness, almost stammering] [Sharpless is deeply moved and walks up and down excitedly; then he turns to Butterfly, takes her hands in his and says to her with fatherly tenderness] Butterfly [in a voice broken by weeping, and withdrawing her hands] Sharpless [embarrassed] Butterfly [claps her hands and Suzuki hastens in] Sharpless [is on the point of going out] [Butterfly, repenting, runs to Sharpless sobbing and holds him back] Sharpless [making excuses] Butterfly [mournfully, laying her hand on her heart] Butterfly [Butterfly returns triumphantly carrying her baby on her left shoulder, and shows him to Sharpless full of pride] Butterfly Sharpless [with emotion] Butterfly [pointing to each feature] Sharpless [more and more moved] Butterfly Sharpless [cannot restrain his tears] [Butterfly rises to her feet and with a charming gesture gives Sharpless her hand; he shakes it cordially with both of his] Butterfly [turning to the child] Sharpless [taking the child in his arms] Butterfly [to the baby, with childlike grace] Sharpless Suzuki [from outside, shouting] [Suzuki enters dragging in Goro roughly, who tries to escape] Butterfly [to Suzuki] Suzuki Goro [protesting in frightened tones] Butterfly [wild cry] Butterfly [in wild tones] Suzuki [thrusts herself between them; then horrified at such a scene, she takes the child and carries him into the room on the left] Butterfly [seized with disgust she pushes him away with her foot] [Butterfly remains motionless as though petrified.] Butterfly [letting her thoughts fly to her child]. [a cannon shot] Suzuki [coming in breathlessly] Butterfly Suzuki [soothing her] Butterfly [returns to the room with Suzuki] Suzuki Butterfly Suzuki [from the terrace] Butterfly [gaily to Suzuki] Suzuki [still on the terrace] Butterfly Suzuki [from the garden] Butterfly [taking the flowers from Suzuki's hands] [Butterfly distributes the flowers about the room, while Suzuki goes down into the garden again] Suzuki [from the garden] Butterfly Suzuki [reappears on the terrace, laden with flowers] Butterfly Suzuki Butterfly / Butterfly [scattering flowers] Suzuki Butterfly Butterfly, Suzuki [scattering flowers while they sway their bodies lightly to and fro to the rhythm in a dance measure] [Butterfly and Suzuki bring toilet requirements] Butterfly [to Suzuki] Suzuki [caressing Butterfly's head to sooth her] Butterfly [pensively] Suzuki [urging her to keep quiet] Butterfly [following up an idea she has had] Suzuki [has finished her toilet] Butterfly [to Suzuki] [the night grows darker] Butterfly makes three holes in the shosi: one high up for herself, one lower down for Suzuki and a third lower still for the child whom she seats on a cushion, signing to him to look through his hole. Suzuki crouches down and also gazes out. Butterfly stands in front of the highest hole and gazes through it, remaining rigid and motionless as a statue: the baby, who is between his mother and Suzuki, peeps out curiously. [It is night, the rays of the moon light up the shosi from without] Chorus (ST) [within, from far off] [humming] [The baby falls asleep, sinking down on his cushion; Suzuki still in her crouching position, falls asleep too: Butterfly alone remains rigid and motionless]. [The curtain falls slowly] End of Act II First Part.
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Act II.
Second Part.
Sailors (T1) [From the bay, far away in the distance]
Oh eh! oh eh!
Sailors (T2)
Oh eh!
Sailors (T1)
oh eh! oh eh!
Sailors (T2)
oh eh!
Sailors (T1)
oh eh! oh eh!
Sailors (T2)
oh eh!
Sailors (T1)
Oh eh! oh eh!
Sailors (T2)
oh eh!
Sailors (T1)
oh eh! oh eh!
Sailors (T2)
oh eh!
[Clanging of chains, anchors, and other sounds from the harbour]
[The curtain rises]
[Butterfly, still motionless, is gazing out into the distance; the child is asleep on a cushion; and Suzuki, kneeling bent over the child, has also fallen asleep]
[The first streaks of dawn appear in the sky]
[The rosy dawn spreads]
[The day breaks].
[The sunshine streams in from outside]
[Butterfly at length rouses herself, and touches Suzuki on the shoulder; the latter wakes with a start and rises, whilst Butterfly turns toward the baby, and takes him up with tender care]
Suzuki [awaking with a start]
'Tis daylight!...
[rises]
[goes towards Butterfly and touches her on the shoulder]
Cho-Cho-San...
Butterfly [starts and says confidently]
He'll come, he'll come... I know, he'll come.
[Butterfly sees the child has fallen asleep and takes him in her arms, turning to go up to the next storey]
Suzuki
I pray you, go and rest, for you are weary,
And I will call you when he arrives.
Butterfly [going up the staircase]
Sweet, thou art sleeping,
Cradled on my heart;
Safe in God's keeping,
While I must weep apart.
Around thy head the moonbeams dart:
Sleep, my beloved!
Suzuki [sadly, shaking her head]
Poor Madam Butterfly!
Butterfly [enters the room above] [voice a little farther off]
Sweet, thou art sleeping,
Cradled on my heart;
[voice farther off]
Safe in God's keeping,
While I must weep apart.
[dying away in the distance]
Suzuki [kneels before the image of Buddha]
Poor Madam Butterfly!
[rises and goes to open the shosi]
[Light knocking at the door is heard]
Who is it?...
[louder knocking heard]
[goes to open]
[cries out in great surprise]
Oh!
Sharpless [on the threshold, signs to Suzuki to be quiet]
Hush!
Pinkerton [motions Suzuki to be silent]
Hush!
Suzuki
Hush!
Pinkerton
Hush! Hush!
[Pinkerton and Sharpless enter cautiously on tip-toe]
Pinkerton [anxiously to Suzuki]
Disturb her not!
Suzuki
She was so very weary!
She stood awaiting you all
through the night with the baby.
Pinkerton
How did she know?
Suzuki
No ship has cross'd the harbour these three years
Whose flags and colours Butterfly has not
eagerly seen and examin'd.
Sharpless [to Pinkerton]
Did I not tell you?...
Suzuki [going]
I'll call her...
Pinkerton [stopping Suzuki]
No, no, not yet.
Suzuki [Pointing to the masses of flowers all about the room]
Look around you,
Last night she would have the room
decorated with flowers.
Sharpless [touched]
Did I not tell you?...
Pinkerton [troubled]
Oh, torment!
Suzuki [hears a noise in the garden, goes to look outside the shosi and exclaims in surprise]
Who's that outside there
in the garden?
A lady!!..
Pinkerton [goes to Suzuki and leads her down the stage again, urging her to speak in a whisper]
Hush!
Suzuki [excitedly]
Who's that? who's that?
Sharpless [to Pinkerton]
Better tell her all.
Suzuki [in consternation]
who's that? who's that?
Pinkerton [embarrassed]
She came with me.
Suzuki
who's that? who's that?
Sharpless [with restraint but deliberately]
She's his wife!
Suzuki [stupefied, raises her arms to heaven, then falls on her knees with her face to the ground]
Hallowèd souls of our fathers!
Ah, the world is plung'd in gloom
is plung'd in gloom!
Sharpless [soothes Suzuki and raises her from the ground]
We came here so early in the morning
To find you all alone here, Suzuki, that you might give us
your help and your guidance in this our plight.
Suzuki [in despair]
How can I? How can I?
Sharpless [takes Suzuki aside and tries to persuade her into consenting, whilst Pinkerton getting more and more agitated, wanders about the room, noticing all details]
I know that for such a trouble
There is no consolation!
But the future of the baby
Must be our first and special thought.
/ Pinkerton
| Oh! the bitter fragrance
| of these flow'rs,
| It is poison to my heart!
| Sharpless
| This gentle lady,
| Who dare not enter,
\ Will give the child
/ a mother's care!
| Suzuki
| Woe is me!
| Do you ask me
| to go and tell a mother...
| Pinkerton
| Unchang'd is the chamber
\ Where once we lov'd...
Sharpless
Delay not, call her, delay not,
[Pinkerton goes towards the image of Buddha]
/ Call in that gentle lady,
| And conduct her here... If even
| Butterfly should see her, no matter.
| Then with her own eyes she will learn
| The cruel truth we dare not tell her.
| Go then, speak with that gentle lady,
| Go quickly and bring her here,
| and bring her here.
| Pinkerton
| But a deathly chill haunts the air.
| [sees his own likeness]
| And here my portrait...
| Three years have pass'd away,
| Three years have pass'd away,
| Three years have pass'd away
| and ev'ry day, ev'ry hour she counted,
| alas, she counted!
| Suzuki
| Can you ask me
| to go and tell a mother...
| Woe is me!
| Hear my sorrow!
| Hallowèd souls of my fathers!...
| Now all the world is plung'd in gloom!
| Hear my sorrow!
| Hallowèd souls of my fathers!...
\ Ah! all the world is plung'd in gloom!
[Sharpless pushes her into the garden to join Mrs. Pinkerton]
Sharpless
Go, Suzuki, go!
Pinkerton [overcome by emotion and unable to restrain his tears, approaches Sharpless and says to him resolutely]
I cannot remain,
Suzuki [going away]
Hear my sorrow!
Pinkerton
Sharpless, I'll wait you
outside...
Sharpless
Is it not as I told you?
Pinkerton [giving Sharpless some money]
Give her this money, just to support her...
Remorse and anguish choke me,
Remorse and anguish choke me.
Sharpless
I warned you, you remember?
When in your hand she laid hers:
``Be careful! For she believes you''
Alas! how true I spoke!
Deaf to all entreaties,
deaf to doubting, humiliation,
Blindly trusting to your promise,
Her heart will break...
Pinkerton
Yes, in one sudden moment,
I see my heartless action
And feel that I shall never, ah never
Free myself from remorse,
no never more! no!
Sharpless
Now go: the cruel truth
she best should hear alone.
Pinkerton [softly lamenting]
Farewell, o happy home,
Farewell, home of love...
Haunted forever I shall be
by her reproachful eyes...
Sharpless
But now this faithful heart
has already divined...
Pinkerton
Farewell, home where she waited and loved.
Sharpless
I warned you, alas, you see
how true I prophesied!
Pinkerton
I cannot bear to stay,
ah! I cannot bear to stay!
Like a coward, ah! let me fly!
Farewell, I cannot, I cannot stay,
/ Sharpless
| Yes go, and let her learn
| the cruel truth.
| Pinkerton
\ ah! I cannot! Farewell.
[wrings the Consul's hand, and goes out quickly by the door on the right: Sharpless bows his head sadly]
[Kate and Suzuki come from the garden]
Kate [gently to Suzuki]
Then you will tell her.
Suzuki
I promise.
Kate
And will you advise her
to trust me?...
Suzuki
I promise.
Kate
Like a son will I tend him.
Suzuki
I trust you. But I must be quite alone beside her...
In this cruel hour... alone! She will weep so sadly!
she'll weep so sadly!
Butterfly [voice from afar, calling from the room above]
Suzuki!
[nearer] Suzuki! Where are you?
Suzuki!
[appears at the head of the staircase]
Suzuki
I'm here... I was praying, and going back to watch...
[Butterfly begins to come down stairs]
No...
[rushes toward the staircase to prevent Butterfly from coming down]
no... no... no... Do not come down...
[Butterfly comes down quickly, freeing herself from Suzuki who tries in vain to hold her back]
[crying out] no... no... no...
Butterfly [pacing the room in great, but joyful excitement]
He's here... he's here... where is he hidden?
He's here... he's here...
[catching sight of Sharpless]
Here's the Consul...
[In alarm, looking for Pinkerton]
and... where is?... where is?...
[Butterfly, after having searched in every corner, in the little recess and behind the screen, looks around in anguish]
Not here!..
[sees Kate and looks at her fixedly]
[to Kate] Who are you?
Why have you come here? No one answers!... Why are you weeping?
[is afraid of understanding and shrinks together like a frightened child]
No, no, tell me nothing... nothing... Lest I fall dead
at your feet at the words I hear...
[with affectionate and childlike kindness to Suzuki]
You, Suzuki,
are always so faithful, don't weep, I pray!
Since you love me so dearly, say ``yes,'' or ``no,'' quite softly...
He lives?
Suzuki
Yes.
Butterfly [transfixed; as though she had received a mortal blow]
But he'll come
no more, They have told you!...
[Suzuki is silent]
[angered at Suzuki's silence]
Reptile! I want you to reply!
Suzuki
No more.
Butterfly [coldly]
He reached here yesterday?
Suzuki
Yes.
[Butterfly, who has understood, looks at Kate as though fascinated]
Butterfly
Who is this lady
that terrifies me? terrifies me?
Kate [simply]
Through no fault of my own,
I am the cause of your trouble. Ah, forgive me pray.
[about to approach Butterfly who motions her to keep away]
Butterfly
No, do not touch me.
[in a calm voice]
And how
long ago is it he married you?
Kate
A year.
[shyly] And will you let me do nothing for the child?
[Butterfly is silent]
I will tend him with most loving care.
[Butterfly does not reply]
[impressed by Butterfly's silence, and deeply moved, persists]
'Tis hard for you, very hard,
But take the step for his welfare.
Butterfly [remains motionless]
Who knows!
All is over now!
Kate [coaxingly]
Ah, can you not forgive me, Butterfly?
Butterfly [solemnly]
'Neath the blue vault of the sky
There is no happier lady than you are.
[passionately]
May you remain so,
nor e'er be sadden'd through me.
Yet it would please me much
That you should tell him
that peace will come to me.
Kate [holding out her hand]
Your hand, your hand, may I not take it?
Butterfly [decidedly but kindly]
I pray you, no, not that...
Now go and leave me.
Kate [going towards Sharpless]
Poor little lady!
Sharpless [deeply moved]
Oh the pity of it all!
Kate
And can he have his son?
Butterfly [who has heard, says solemnly]
His son I will give him
if he will come to fetch him.
[with marked meaning, but quite simply]
Climb this hill in half an hour from now.
[Suzuki escorts Kate and Sharpless who go out by the door on the right]
[Butterfly is on the point of collapsing. Suzuki hastens to support her and leads her to the middle of the stage]
Suzuki [placing her hand on Butterfly's heart]
Like to a poor imprison'd bird
Beats this little fluttering heart!
[Butterfly gradually recovers; seeing that it is broad daylight she disengages herself from Suzuki and says to her]
Butterfly
Too much light shines outside
And too much laughing spring.
[pointing to the windows]
Close them.
[Suzuki goes to shut the doors and curtains, so that the room is almost in total darkness]
[Suzuki returns towards Butterfly]
Butterfly
Where is the child?
Suzuki
Playing... Shall I call him?
Butterfly
Leave him at his play, Leave him at his play...
Go and play with him.
[Suzuki refuses to go away and throws herself weeping at Butterfly's feet]
Suzuki
I'll not leave you alone.
No! no! no! no!
Butterfly
How runs the ditty?
``Through closèd gates he enter'd
Life and Love enter'd with him;
Then he went and nought was left to us
Nothing, nothing, nothing but death.''
Suzuki [weeping]
With you I'll stay.
Butterfly [with decision clapping her hands loudly]
Go, Go, obey my order.
[Makes Suzuki, who is weeping bitterly, rise, and pushes her outside the exit on the left]
[Suzuki's sobs are heard]
[Butterfly lights the lamp in front of Buddha]
[she bows down]
Butterfly remains motionless, lost in sorrowful thought. Suzuki's sobs are still heard, they die away by degrees.
Butterfly has a convulsive movement.
Butterfly goes towards the shrine and lifts the white veil from it; throws this across the screen; then takes the dagger, which, enclosed in a waxen case, is leaning against the wall near the image of Buddha.
Butterfly piously kisses the blade, holding it by the point and the handle with both hands.
Butterfly [softly reading the words inscribed on it]
Death with honour is
better than life with dishonour.
[points the knife sideways at her throat]
[The door on the left opens, showing Suzuki's arm pushing in the child towards his mother: he runs in with outstretched hands. Butterfly lets the dagger fall, darts toward the baby, and hugs and kisses him almost to suffocation]
Butterfly
You? you? you? you? you? you? you?
Belovèd Idol!
Ador'd, adorèd being,
Fairest flower of beauty.
[taking the child's head in her hands, she draws it to her]
Though you ne'er must know it
`Tis for you, my love, for you I'm dying,
Poor Butterfly
That you may go away
Beyond the ocean,
Never to feel the torment when you are older,
That your mother forsook you!
[exaltedly]
My son, sent to me from Heaven,
Straight from the throne of glory,
Take one last and careful look
At your poor mother's face!
That it's memory may linger,
One last look!
Farewell, beloved! Farewell, my dearest heart!
Go, play, play.
Butterfly takes the child, seats him on a stool with his face turned to the left, gives him the American flag and a doll and urges him to play with them, while she gently bandages his eyes. Then she seizes the dagger, and with her eyes still fixed on the child, goes behind the screen.
The knife is heard falling to the ground, and the large white veil disappears behind the screen.
Butterfly is seen emerging from behind the screen; tottering, she gropes her way towards the child. The large white veil is round her neck; smiling feebly, she greets the child with her hand and drags herself up to him. She has just enough strength left to embrace him, then falls to the ground beside him.
Pinkerton [within] [calling]
Butterfly! Butterfly! Butterfly!
The door on the right opens violently – Pinkerton and Sharpless rush into the room and up to Butterfly, who with a feeble gesture points to the child and dies. Pinkerton falls on his knees, whilst Sharpless takes the child and kisses him, sobbing.
Curtain descends swiftly
