【Madama Butterfly】Synopsis, Character Map

Pretty girl, you are mine now. You are dressed like a lily. You are beautiful.

He will surely return. He said he would come back with roses when the robins had their chicks.

Sweet boy. You are the child of the lily and the rose. I choose to die for you.

Where can I use it as a couples’ bedroom?

Goro
Use this room or that room as you wish.

It’s a nice view, but it’s a steep hill. Do you own this house?

I bought this house. It is a Japanese style contract, renewable monthly, and I can break it whenever I want.

We Yankees go all over the world and enjoy making love to beautiful women. This marriage is a Japanese style marriage. It’s an easy one, with the condition that I can break it off whenever I want.

Dovunque al mondo

That is a rash thought. Is your bride beautiful?

Goro
She is a very beautiful bride. And very inexpensive. I can get you a bride too.

No, thank you. Are you serious about this marriage?

I don’t know. She looks and acts beautiful and is as pretty as a butterfly. I want to catch her.

It would be cruel to make her sad. Here’s to your far-flung family.

To the day when I really marry my American bride. Cheers to that!

Madama Butterfly friends
Oh, beautiful sky, beautiful sea!

Ah! Quanto cielo!

I am the happiest girl in Japan and the world. I came to answer the call of love.

It’s a very strange greeting.

Do you have a family?

I am the daughter of a samurai family. My family was ruined, so I became a geisha. My family includes my mother. My father died.

(whispers to Sharpless) Her doll-like behavior turns me on.

How old are you?

I am 15 years old. That’s old enough.

It is the age of innocent play.

Come here, my love.

Excuse me for a moment. There is a package in the sleeve of my kimono. It is a mirror and a fan. This small box is sacred, so I will take it with me.

What is that small box?

Goro
The box is said to contain a gift from the emperor to her father.

I went to church yesterday. I believe in a new faith for a new life. My family does not know about it. I am willing to forget my family for your sake.

We are a family now. Let’s all have a toast.

The Bonze
Why did you go to church? You have abandoned the faith! Since you have forsaken us, we have no choice but to disassociate ourselves from you!

Stop. Get out of here.

Don’t cry. There is no need for you to shed tears. Evening comes.

Viene la sera

Even though my family has abandoned me, I am happy because of you.

Beautiful clothes are hard to change into.

She unties the knot. My bride. She awakens my passion.

Pretty girl, you are mine now. You are dressed like a lily. You are beautiful.

Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malìa

Please love me. Give me a little love like a baby. A little love is just right for me.

Pinkerton will return.

Suzuki
But no foreign husband has ever returned.

Shut up! I will kill you. He will surely return. He said he would come back with roses when the robins had their chicks. Come on, you too, say it out loud. He will come back.

Suzuki
He’ll be back.

One fine day he will return. I will stay hidden. Lest I die of joy when I see him again.

Un bel dì, vedremo

Madame Butterfly.

I’m Madame Pinkerton. Welcome to the American family.

I received a letter addressed to me from Pinkerton.

How happy I am! I have a question for you. He promised me he would come back when the robins were ready to nest. The robins have nested three times in Japan, but not yet in the U.S.?

I do not know. But I want to talk to you about something else.

Please listen to me. Goro is encouraging me to marry another man.

Goro
I introduced her to a rich man. She has been abandoned by her relatives and is poor.

Have you given up on me? You have had many wives, so you must be fine, right?

Prince Yamadori
I am single now.

I have a husband.

Goro
She believes that she is still married to him.

Divorce is easy in Japan, but not in the United States. I follow American law. Oh, let’s get some tea for my guest.

Goro
The ship with Pinkerton aboard has arrived, right?

Prince Yamadori
She will see him.

He does not want to see her again.

How annoying they are.

We are alone now. Let’s read his letter.

My friend, look for my flower girl. Three years have passed and she will not remember me. If she still loves me…

What if he never comes back?

Legger con me volete questa lettera

Return to the path of the geisha or die.

It is pitiful to separate you from your false illusions, but accept the rich man’s proposal.

I have his child! He does not know his son.

I’m going into town with you in my arms to ask for food. And I’ll go back to be a geisha for you. No, I’ll never do a dishonorable job again! Then I’ll die.

Che tua madre dovrà

I will tell him about the child.

Goro
I heard that children born cursed are rejected in America.

Liar! I’ll kill you!

Everyone told lies. He will return. My love has won! He will come back to love me.

Shake the cherry blossoms. I want to be in the rain of flowers. Fill the room with flowers. Pick all the flowers in the garden and decorate the room.

Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio

I will wear a bridal dress and a red flower in my hair.

Suzuki
Please rest. When he comes, I will call you.

Suzuki
Ah!

Please be quiet.

Suzuki
She waited for you all night.

How did she know I was back?

Suzuki
Because she has been watching the ships pass through the harbor for three years without fail. I call her.

No, wait.

Suzuki
Please take a look. She has decorated the room with flowers to welcome you.

Suzuki
Who is that woman?

She came with me.

She is his wife. We came early this morning to see you. We need your help. There is no comfort in Butterfly’s grief. But we must ensure the future of his child. Would you be willing to speak with his wife first?

Io so che alle sue pene

Suzuki
You are asking a terrible favor of me.

The room is exactly as it was then. There is my portrait! I can’t stay here. Farewell, my blossoming home of joy and love. I cannot see her sadness!

Addio fiorito asil

Kate Pinkerton
Will you tell her? I will take good care of her child.

Suzuki
You should not come here.

Is he here?

Who is she?

(To Sharpless) You say nothing. I might die at this moment.

(To Suzuki) You are a good person. Answer with yes or no. Is he alive?

Suzuki
Yes.

He arrived yesterday but did not come here.

Please forgive her.

Oh, she’s his wife. It’s over!

Kate Pinkerton
Would you be willing to give us your child?

I would give him my child. After a while, tell him to come here.

Light and spring are hard. Close the windows.

Suzuki
I will be by your side.

You play with my child.

Sweet boy. You are the child of the lily and the rose. I choose to die for you. I will die so that when you grow up, you will not have to suffer the pain of your mother’s abandonment.

Tu? tu? piccolo Iddio!

Butterfly!