Saturday, July 25, 2009

Madame Butterfly, the Betrayal: A Review of the Opera

By Jeff Bridges

Giacomo Puccini is the original writer of the popular opera Madame Butterfly. If you attend this dazzling opera we recommend bringing a pair of opera glasses to enjoy it to the fullest extent. And we will tell 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.

Pinkerton of course plans to marry Butterfly however, his true goal in life is to gain the love of as many beautiful women as possible, as he puts it, and he will not be satisfied until he captures the flowers of every shore. For this reason he retained the right to cancel the agreement any month. The time approaches that the stage will introduce you to the elegant Butterfly, have your opera glasses prepared.

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.

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.

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.

As act three begins, we come to know that three years have passed since Pinkerton walked out the door for the last time. Butterfly faithfully watches out the window each day to see if his ship will come in. One day as she is watching out the window, she sees a figure that she recognizes walking up the path. No it is not Pinkerton coming up the path, but his good friend that she has known from the beginning as his friend the American Consul. She greets him excitedly hoping that he brings news from her husband. Unknown to Butterfly, the American Consul has been sent to her by Pinkerton to tell her that he has married an American woman named Kate, and that he would not be returning to her ever. Broken hearted, the American Consul Curses Pinkerton, and gives the news so hard to bear.

Crushed by the dishonor and betrayal she leaves the room only to come back carrying a child. She begs with the American Consul, she says that Pinkerton would not dare to leave his wife, and now child. After trying to convince him that Pinkerton would not leave her, she finally accepts the facts.

The story does not end here, but to find out the end of the story you will have to see Madame Butterfly for yourself. The costumes are sure to amaze, the music cannot be forgotten, and the story riveting. Make sure you don't forget to bring your opera glasses so that you can fully enjoy every moment.

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