Friday, December 25, 2009

Madame Butterfly: Review of the Opera

By Jeff Bridges

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.

The story of Madame Butterfly begins with a U.S. Naval Officer by the name of Pinkerton, and a Goro, a Japanese Marriage Broker. Pinkerton and Goro are looking at a quaint little house built atop a hill overlooking the bay. Pinkerton finds himself inspecting the home for his beautiful bride, and himself to live in. Pinkerton, upon completion of the home decides to buy the home for 999 years, while holding the right to cancel the agreement at any time.

As the Opera continues, we find that the wedding of Madame Butterfly and the Officer is soon to take place. Many of Butterfly's family will be flying in to attend the wedding, with one exception. Butterfly's uncle will not be attending as 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 get to see Butterfly's beauty, one final part of the opera plays through. The American Consul, who is with Pinkerton, asks him if he loves Madame Butterfly. A yes will not come out of the mouth of Pinkerton, nor could it, for Pinkerton, is simply infatuated with Butterfly's innocence, beauty and charm. He does not love her. Pinkerton then begins to speak of one day having an American woman to wed.

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.

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.

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.

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