Madame Butterfly
Opera in 3 acts
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa based on a story written by John Luther Long
The opera “Madama Butterfly” is a sensual, lyrical drama about the hopeless love of a young Japanese lady for an American officer.
One of the most famous operas in the world owes its success to the Ukrainian soprano Solomiya Krushelnytska. After the poor reception of the premiere of the opera in 1904, it was revised, and the Ukrainian singer performed the main part. Due to her voice and exceptional acting talent, Krushelnytska made the audience fall in love with her heroine, the fragile Japanese Chio-Chio-San and the exotic music of Giacomo Puccini.
The opera fascinates the audience with its beauty and unusual plot. It is unique not only because of the brilliant music of Puccini but also the vivid representation of Japanese culture.
Performed in the Italian language with Ukrainian subtitles.
Directors
Сhief conductor
Stage director
Set designer
Costume designer
Costume designer
Officials and performers
Cio-Cio-san (Madama Butterfly)
Lyubov Kachala
People’s Artist of UkraineLuydmyla Korsun
Honored Artist of UkrainePinkerton
Mykhajlo Malafij
winner of the international competitionsRoman Trochymuk
Honored artist of UkraineMaksym Vorochek
Suzuki
Olena Skitsko
winner of the international competitionAnastasiia Polishchuk
winner of the international competitionsSharpless
Yurii Shevchuk
winner of the international competitionRoman Strakhov
winner of the international competitionKate Pinkerton
Liliya Nikitchuk
winner of the international competitionGoro
Олег Лановий
лауреат міжнародних конкурсівVitaliy Voytko
Oleg Sadetsky
Honored artist of UkraineБонза
Yurii Trytsetskyi
заслужений артист УкраїниIhor Mikhnevych
Dmytro Kokotko
Сommissioner
Mykola Kornutyak
winner of the international competitionVitalij Zagorbenskyj
winner of the international competitionPrince Yamadori
Yuriy Hetsko
Vitaliy Voytko
Event Libretto
Act 1
Japan, early twentieth century. On a terrace full of flowers, above Nagasaki harbor, U.S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton is marrying geisha Cio-Cio-San that means “butterfly”. American consul, Sharpless advises Pinkerton to think about geisha’s future. Having fallen in love with Pinkerton, Cio-Cio-San embraced the Christian faith and broke the relationship with her relatives. However Pinkerton is not interested in the destiny of Cio-Cio-San. He claims that he is roaming the world in the search of pleasure and proposes a toast for his “real” American wife he will marry one day. The celebration is interrupted by Cio-Cio-San’s uncle, a Buddhist priest, who bursts in, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors’ religion. However Cio-Cio-San is happy because her beloved Pinkerton is nearby.
Act 2
Three years later, Cio-Cio-San waits for her husband’s return. In vain Suzuki explains that foreigners do not return to their Japanese wives; in vain Sharpless tries to tell her that Pinkerton will not come back. The girl dismisses the wealthy Prince Yamadori, insisting that she has American husband and her real name is Madame Pinkerton. Sharpless brings a letter from the lieutenant and suggests Pinkerton may not return. Cio-Cio-San brings her child, Dolore (Trouble) with proud, saying that as soon as Pinkerton knows he has a son he surely will come back. Cio-Cio-San hears a cannon report; she discovers Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbour. Now delirious with joy, she is preparing to meet her husband.
As dawn breaks, Cio-Cio-San understands that she is waiting in vain. Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife, to take his son with him. Pinkerton, full of remorse, bids an anguished farewell then rushes away. Guessing the truth, the shattered Cio-Cio-San agrees to give him her child. Then, sending Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Saying farewell, Cio-Cio-San stabs herself.
Act 3
As dawn breaks, Cio-Cio-San understands that she is waiting in vain. Sharpless enters with Pinkerton, followed by Kate, his new wife, to take his son with him. Pinkerton, full of remorse, bids an anguished farewell then rushes away. Guessing the truth, the shattered Cio-Cio-San agrees to give him her child. Then, sending Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honour rather than live in disgrace. Saying farewell, Cio-Cio-San stabs herself.
Short Description
The opera “Madama Butterfly” is a lyrical drama about the unrequited love of a Japanese girl and an American officer. Puccini’s opera “Madama Butterfly” has quite an unusual fate, because it failed during the premiere. Though all the musicians who participated in the production did not doubt its success. The audience was disappointed with the familiar motives from other operas of the composer. However, the score was rewritten and the main part of Chio Chio San was played by Solomia Krushelnytska and the opera enjoyed the tremendous success. It enchants with beauty and unusual plot. The opera is peculiar not only in Puccini’s great music, but also in unusual Japanese culture.
