Madama Butterfly

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"Madam Butterfly"

Japanese Tragedy

By:
Giuseppe Giacosa

Luigi Illica

Music by:

Giacomo Puccini

Cio-Cio-San

Mirella Freni

B. F. Pinkerton

Placido Domingo

Suzuki

Christa Ludwig

Sharpless

Robert Kerns

Goro

Michel Senechal

Prince Yamadori

Giorgio Stendoro

The Bonze

Marus Rintzler

Conducted by:

Herbert Von Karajan

Directed

Jean-Pierre Ponnelle

Etcohod

Act I

Overtue

Atto I-1- E soffitto, e pareti

The ceiling and walls...

come and go just as you wish

Giving a different look

to the same place

different views to the usual ones.

Where's the wedding nest?

Here,

or there...depending...

It has false ends,, too!

And the living room?

Here

Outside?

One side glides...

I understand!

I understand!

Another one.....

slips along

It's a house of cards

Solid as a tower,

from floor to ceiling.

It would fold in the breeze.

This is the maid

who has already

lovingly

served your bride

The cook

The manservant.

They are embarrassed

by the great honour.

Their names?

"Miss delicate Cloud."

"Ray of rising sun."

"Breath of scent."

2- Sorride Vostro Onore

Is your honor smiling?

a smile loosens the knot of worries

Wise Ocunama said:

"A smile breaks through

a web of trouble.

It opens the shell for the pearl,

to man it opens the gates

of Paradise.

Perfume of the gods...

fountain of life... "

The wise Ocunama has said:

"A smile breaks through a web of troubles."

Her chatter sounds

like all women

all over the world

What are you looking for?

To see if the bride's coming yet.

Is everything ready?

Everything

You're a gem of a marriage broker

The Registrar,

the relations,

Relatives.

your console ...

the bride

You'll sign the documents here,

and marriage is done.

Are there many relatives?

The bride's mother

and grandmother,

her uncle the Bonze

who won't honour us

with his presence,

And cousins, old folks,

Let's say, with their families

and contemporaries,

about two dozen.

As for descendants

that depends

on your honor...

and the pretty Butterfly

Jewel of a marriage broker

puff and stumble!

puff and stumble!

The Consul's coming up.

Those stones

have worn me out

Welcome!

Welcome!

Uff!

Quick, Goro,

some refreshment

It's high up, here!

But, it's beautiful!

Nagasaki

the sea,

the port ...

And a little house

that works by magic.

Is it yours?

I've bought it for 999 years,

with the right,

each month, to cancel the agreement.

In this country.

houses and contracts

are flexible.

the clever man makes the most of it.

Certainly.

3-Dovunque al mondo

Emperor Meiji prolongs USA Commercial Rights

All over the world,

the traveling American

does business...

He laughs at risks

He drops anchor

where he chooses

Milk punch or whisky?

He drops anchor

where he chooses

until a squall upsets

his ship,,

its moorings

and rigging

Life only satisfies him

Life is not worth living...

if he dos'nt gets the best

out of everywhere he goes

It's an easy gospel

the love of every pretty girl.

It's an easy gospel

It makes life pleasant,

but it leaves the heart cold.

Unruffled by defeat,

he grabs fortune by the neck

His talent

works everywhere

So I'm having a Japanese-style

marriage, for 999 years

Free to break the contract

every month

It's an easy gospel

Atto I-4-"America for ever!"

"America for ever!"

"America for ever!"

Is your bride very pretty?

A garland of fresh flowers

A star with

rays of gold

And cheap:

only 100 yen

If your honor

asks,

I have a good selection.

Go and fetch her, Goro.

What's got into you?

Are you really infatuated?

I don't know!

I don't know!

It depends on the degree of cooking!

I couldn't say if it's love

or just a whim

She's certainly

enticed me

with her simplicity

She's as a fragile as blown glass

So tiny

and dainty

like a figure

on a painted screen.

But suddenly she leaves

her varnished perch

with a sudden movement

she frees herself;

like a butterfly

she flutters and settles

with such quiet grace

that a madness seizes me

to pursue her,

even though

I might

damage her wings.

5- ler I'altro, il Consolato

Two days ago she came to the consulate

she came as a visiter !

I didn't see her myself

but I heard her speak.

The mystery of her voice

touched me to the heart.

It was the voice

of someone in love

It would be a great sin

to strip off those delicate wings

Or crush that trusting heart

My dear Consul,

don't worry! It's usual

It would be great pity ...

at your age to take a pessimistic view.

- There's nothing wrongl

- That heavenly

- if I want to teach those wings

- meek, pretty, little voice

- the sweet flight of love!

- shouldn't utter a note of sadness!

Whisky?

Another little glassful.

Here's to your family at home.

And to the day

when I shall get married

with real wedding ...

to a real

American bride.

6- Ecco! Son giunte al sommo del pendio

They've got to the top of the hill

You can hear their buzzing

like the wind

through the leaves

Ah! Ah!

Ah!What an expanse of sky!

What an expanse of sea!

Just a few more step now...

You are so slow!

Wait.

There we've reached the place!

look, Look at all the flowers!

A spring breeze..

floats the earth

What an expanse of sky!

What an expanse of sea!

- a joyous breath of spring.l

- Oh, the gay chatter of youth!

I am the happiest

girl in Japan,

or rather,in the whole world.-

Friends, I have come

What an expanse of sky!

What an expanse of sea!

- at the call of love

- Joy to you,

- I have come to the portals of love...

- Joy to you, sweet friend,

Joy to you, sweet friend,

- where is gathered the happiness..

- but before crossing the threshold

- of all who live and die.

- which draws you,turn and look at

the things which you hold dear,

look at all that sky,

of all who

live and die.

of all who live and die.

Friends,

I have come

at the call of

love

We have arrived.

B. F. Pinkerton.

Down.

Down.

7- Gran ventura

great fortune

Our respects.

Was the climb a bit difficult?

for a well-brought bride..

not as hard as the hours of waiting

What a nice compliment

I know better ones

A jewelry!

if you'd like to hear some now

Thanks

no

Miss Butterfly.

A pretty name,

it suits you to perfection.

Do you come from Nagasaki?

Yes sir.

From a family

was wealthy once.

Isn't that so?

That's so

No one

admits he was born in poverty.

There's not a beggar

who, to hear him,

doesn't come of great lineage

I have known riches.

But storms uproot

the strongest oak

And we worked

as geishas

to support ourselves.

Didn't we?

We did

I don't hide it,

or feel ashamed

[noticing that Sharpless smiles]

you laugh?

Why?

life is like that.

That childlike manner of hers

sets my heart on fire

Have you any sisters?

No sir

I have my mother.

A noble lady

But without wronging her,

very poor, too.

And your father?

Dead.

How old are you?

Guess

Ten

Make it more.

Twenty

Make it less.

Just exactly fifteen;

I am old already.

Fifteen years!

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