| Madame Butterfly, the Betrayal: A Review of the Opera |
| Written by Jeff Bridges |
| Friday, 25 December 2009 08:35 |
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Madame Butterfly is a popular opera that is written by Giacomo Puccini. You will want to bring your opera glasses to this opera. We are about to show you why.
Madame Butterfly is a popular opera that is written by Giacomo Puccini. You will want to bring your opera glasses to this opera. We are about to show you why. Madame Butterfly is set in Nagasaki Japan, at the top of the hill one of our main characters, a United States Naval Officer named Pinkerton is inspecting a beautiful house with a wonderful view of the bay down below with a marriage broker by the name of Goro. Pinkerton is inspecting the home for him and his bride to be, Madame Butterfly. Upon finishing the inspection of the home, Pinkerton agrees to buy the home for 999 years, although he holds the right to cancel the agreement of the purchase during any month The opera moves on, and we find that a wedding between Pinkerton and Butterfly is about to take place. Almost all of Butterfly's family will be coming to attend, however her uncle will not be coming due to the fact that 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 you have the chance to see the beautiful bride Butterfly, you see the American consul who is with Pinkerton. He asks Pinkerton if he truly loves his bride to be. Pinkerton tries to say yes, but alas he cannot say for sure, but knows that he is mesmerized by her innocence, charm and beauty. He then speaks of having a true wedding with an American bride. Butterfly finally graces the stage. The wedding of the Officer and Butterfly begins, as Butterfly's family looks on. After the wedding has taken place, we find Butterfly's uncle has broken into the party, he has found out that Butterfly has abandoned her own religion for Pinkerton's by marrying him. Butterfly is crushed, but is consoled by her unloving husband Pinkerton. Months and weeks pass Butterfly and Pinkerton stay happily married, Butterfly is beyond content, nearly exploding with joy with the marriage to the man that she loves so much. One day Pinkerton finds that he must leave to fulfill his service as a naval officer, and tells Butterfly that he will soon return. Act three opens, to find that three years have passed. Butterfly continues to watch ships coming in hoping every day to see the ship of her beloved husband, in all this time her love for him has only increased. One day she sees the American consul who she has known from the beginning as Pinkerton's friend coming up the path to her home. Excitedly she greets him, hoping for news from her beloved. Unbeknownst to her, Pinkerton has asked him to go to Butterfly to tell her that he has wed another woman named Kate, and would not be coming back. Full of guilt the American gives the news. Butterfly weeps as she hears the story of betrayal and leaves the room distraught. After a short moment she returns carrying a child, and reveals to the American Consul that it is Pinkerton's. She exclaims with all her heart that her husband could not possibly leave her wife and child for another. After further conversation with the Consul, she accepts that her husband was never truly hers. 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. About the Author: Jeff B. 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! |