Reviews at the Opera: Madame Butterfly

By: JeffyB Click author's name for more of his/her articles

The Madame Butterfly opera begins with a United States Naval Officer, one of the main characters named Pinkerton and a Japanese Marriage Broker named Goro. Pinkerton and Goro are looking at a little house with a gorgeous view from the top of a hill overlooking the bay. Pinkerton wants to have the house home for 999 years. His 999 years include being able to cancel the housing agreement.

As the Opera continues, we find that the wedding of Madame Butterfly and the Officer is soon to take place. Many of Butterfly's family will be flying in to attend the wedding, with one exception. Butterfly's uncle will not be attending as he is a priest. The Officer is to marry Butterfly, but does not plan on this as being a lasting marriage. His ambition is to gain the love from every beautiful woman that he meets. Although he did agree to buy the house for 999 years, he chose retain the right to cancel, to be able to leave the home, and the marriage.

At this point of the opera, you are about to meet the beautiful Butterfly. Be prepared to use your opera glasses to see her charm and beauty. Before the Japanese beauty, Butterfly, enters the opera, the American consul comes out and asks Pinkerton if he truly loves his soon-to-be bride. Pinkerton cannot commit with a yes. He only describes how mesmerized he is by Butterfly's personality which includes innocence, beauty and charm. One day Pinkerton speaks of having a real marriage to an American woman.

The Beautiful Butterfly graces the stage; Butterfly and Pinkerton are married with all of Butterfly's family in attendance. As the celebration of the wedding continues, Butterfly's uncle, the priest breaks in to the party and condemns Butterfly for renouncing her religion to marry Pinkerton. Butterfly's heart breaks and finds herself in the arms of Pinkerton being comforted. Butterfly finally gets over the condemnation and curse that she received from her uncle, and remains happily married to her beloved Pinkerton. Weeks turn to months, and she can hardly contain her joy and love for the man of her dreams, she continues to fall more deeply in love with a man that does not love her back. Pinkerton one day receives notice that he is to go on duty as a naval officer; before he leaves he gives Butterfly money, and promises to return as soon as possible.

The third act opens to see that three years have passed since Pinkerton left. Every day, Butterfly watches from her windows to see if Pinkerton's ship will come in. Butterfly has fallen even more in love with the missing man as the time has passed. One day, she sees a man walking up the path. She recognizes as the American Consul who is the friend of Pinkerton. She greets him, hoping for news from the love of her life. The truth of the matter is that Pinkerton has sent him to tell her that he has married another woman, and that he wont return. The news is given by the American guiltily.

Destroyed by the news left by Pinkerton's friend, Butterfly leaves the room weeping, only to return carrying Pinkerton's son that she has given birth to. Butterfly tells the American that Pinkerton could not leave his wife and son for another woman. After some convincing she succumbs to the fact that Pinkerton did not love her, and is not to return. What happens next, you will have to find out for yourself, by attending Madame Butterfly.

The music in this opera is delightful as it is majestic, the attention to detail, and beauty of the costumes is unforgettable. Make sure you bring your opera glasses so that you can enjoy this opera to the fullest.

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About The Author: JeffyB. has always loved the theater and opera, he currently helps run an opera glasses retail site where they sell opera glasses. Including Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!