L. ILLICA & G. GIACOSA; (R. H. ELKIN) / GIACOMO PUCCINI

Madam Butterfly

Act I
Act II

Act I

A Japanese house, terrace and garden.
Below, in the background, the bay, the harbour and the town of Nagasaki.

The curtain rises.
[From the room at the back of the little house, Goro, with much bowing and scrapin, leads in Pinkerton, and with much ostentation but still obsequiously, draws his attention to the details of the structure. Goro makes a partition slide out at the back, and explains its use to Pinkerton]
[The come forward a little on the terrace]

Pinkerton [surprised at all he has seen, says to Goro:]
E soffitto... e pareti...

Goro [enjoying Pinkerton's surprise]
Vanno e vengono a prova
a norma che vi giova
nello stesso locale
alternar nuovi aspetti ai consueti.

Pinkerton [looking around]
Il nido nuzïal
dov'è?

Goro [pointing in two directions]
Qui, o là... secondo...

Pinkerton
Anch'esso a doppio fondo!
La sala?

Goro [showing the terrace]
Ecco!

Pinkerton [amazed]
All'aperto?...

Goro [makes the partition slide out towards the terrace]
Un fianco scorre...

Pinkerton [whilst Goro is making the partitions slide out]
Capisco!... capisco!... Un altro...

Goro
Scivola!

Pinkerton
E la dimora frivola...

Goro [protesting]
Salda come una torre
da terra, fino al tetto.
[invites Pinkerton to go down into the garden]

Pinkerton
È una casa a soffietto.

[Goro claps his hands loudly three times]
[enter two men and a woman who humbly and slowly go down on their knees before Pinkerton]

Goro [in rather nasal tones, pointing to them]
Questa è la cameriera
che della vostra sposa
[fulsomely] fu già serva amorosa.
Il cuoco... il servitor. Son confusi
del grande onore.

Pinkerton [impatiently]
I nomi?

Goro [pointing to Suzuki]
Miss Nuvola leggiera.
[pointing to one servant] Raggio di sol nascente.
[pointing to the other servant] Esala aromi.

Pinkerton
Nomi di scherno o scherzo.
Io li chiamerò: musi!
[pointing to them one by one]
Muso primo, secondo, e muso terzo.

Suzuki [still on her knees, but grown bolder, raises her head]
Sorride Vostro Onore?
Il riso è frutto e fiore.
Disse il savio Ocunama:
dei crucci la trama
smaglia il sorriso. Schiude alla perla il guscio,
apre all'uomo l'uscio
del Paradiso.
Profumo degli Dei...
Fontana della vita...
Disse il savio Ocunama:
dei crucci la trama
smaglia il sorriso.
[Pinkerton is bored, and his attention wanders]

Goro [perceiving that Pinkerton begins to be bored at Suzuki's loquacity, claps his hands thrice]
[The three rise and quickly disappear into the house]

Pinkerton
A chiacchiere costei
mi par cosmopolita.
[to Goro who has gone to the back to look out]
Che guardi?

Goro
Se non giunge ancor la sposa.

Pinkerton
Tutto è pronto?

Goro
Ogni cosa.
[thanks with a deep bow]

Pinkerton
Gran perla di sensale!

Goro
Qui verran: l'Ufficiale
del registro, i parenti, il vostro Console,
la fidanzata. Qui si firma l'atto
e il matrimonio è fatto.

Pinkerton
E son molti i parenti?

Goro
La suocera, la nonna, lo zio Bonzo
(che non ci degnerà di sua presenza)
e cugini, e le cugine...
Mettiam fra gli ascendenti...
ed i collaterali, un due dozzine.
Quanto alla discendenza...
provvederanno assai
[with obsequious presumption]
Vostra Grazia e la bella Butterfly.

Pinkerton
Gran perla di sensale!
[Goro thanks him with a deep bow]

Sharpless [from within, rather far off]
E suda e arrampica!
sbuffa, inciampica!

Goro [who has run to the background, announces:]
Il Consol sale.
[bows low before the Consul]

Sharpless [enters, quite out of breath]
Ah!... quei ciottoli
mi hanno sfiaccato!

Pinkerton [goes to meet the Consul: they shake hands]
Bene arrivato.

Goro [to the Consul]
Bene arrivato.

Sharpless
Ouff!

Pinkerton
Presto Goro
qualche ristoro.
[Goro hurries into the house]

Sharpless [panting and looking around]
Alto.

Pinkerton [Pointing to the view]
Ma bello!

Sharpless [looking at the sea and the town below]
Nagasaki, il mare,
il porto...

Pinkerton [pointing to the house]
e una casetta
che obbedisce a bacchetta.
[Goro comes bustling out of the house, followed by the two servants. They bring glasses, bottles and two wicker lounges: they place the glasses and bottles on a small table, and return to the house]

Sharpless
Vostra?

Pinkerton
La comperai
per novecentonovantanove anni,
con facoltà, ogni mese,
di rescindere i patti.
Sono in questo paese
elastici del par, case e contratti.

Sharpless
E l'uomo esperto ne profitta.

Pinkerton
Certo.
[invites Sharpless to be seated]

Pinkerton [frankly]
Dovunque al mondo lo Yankee vagabondo
si gode e traffica
sprezzando rischi.
Affonda l'áncora alla ventura...
[breaking off to offer Sharpless a drink]
Milk-Punch, o Wisky?
[resuming]
Affonda l'áncora alla ventura
finchè una raffica
scompigli nave e ormeggi, alberatura.
La vita ei non appaga
se non fa suo tesor
i fiori d'ogni plaga,...

Sharpless
È un facile vangelo...

Pinkerton [continuing]
d'ogni bella gli amor.

Sharpless
è un facile vangelo
che fa la vita vaga
ma che intristisce il cor.

Pinkerton
Vinto si tuffa, la sorte racciuffa.
Il suo talento
fa in ogni dove.
Così mi sposo all'uso giapponese
per novecento
novantanove
anni. Salvo a prosciogliermi ogni mese.

Sharpless
È un facile vangelo.

Pinkerton
``America for ever!''

Sharpless
``America for ever!''

Sharpless
Ed è bella
la sposa?

[Goro, who has overheard, approaches the terrace eagerly and officiously]

Goro
Una ghirlanda
di fiori freschi. Una stella
dai raggi d'oro.
E per nulla: sol cento
yen.
[to the Consul] Se Vostra Grazia mi comanda
ce n'ho un assortimento.

[The Consul laughingly declines]

Pinkerton [very impatiently]
Va, conducila Goro.
[Goro runs to the back and disappears down the hill]

Sharpless
Quale smania vi prende!
Sareste addirittura
cotto?

Pinkerton
Non so!... non so! Dipende
[rises impatiently, Sharpless rises also]
dal grado di cottura!
Amore o grillo,
dir non saprei. Certo costei
m'ha coll'ingenue arti invescato.
Lieve qual tenue vetro soffiato
alla statura, al portamento
sembra figura da paravento.
Ma dal suo lucido fondo di lacca
come con subito moto si stacca,
qual farfalletta svolazza e posa
con tal grazietta silenzïosa,
che di rincorrerla furor m'assale
se pure infrangerne dovessi l'ale.

Sharpless [seriously and kindly]
Ier l'altro, il Consolato
sen' venne a visitar!
Io non la vidi, ma l'udii parlar.
Di sua voce il mistero
l'anima mi colpì.
Certo quando è sincer
l'amor parla così.
Sarebbe gran peccato
le lievi ali strappar
e desolar forse un credulo cuor.

Pinkerton
Console mio garbato,
quetatevi! Si sa,
Sharpless
Sarebbe gran peccato...
Pinkerton
la vostra età è di flebile umor.
/ Non c'è gran male
| s'io vo' quell'ale
| drizzare ai dolci voli dell'amor!
| Sharpless
| Quella divina
| mite vocina
\ non dovrebbe dar note di dolor!

Pinkerton [offers him more to drink]
Wisky?

Sharpless
Un'altro bicchiere.
[Pinkerton mixes Sharpless some whisky, and also fills up his own glass]

Sharpless [raises his glass]
Bevo alla vostra famiglia lontana.

Pinkerton [also raises his glass]
E al giorno in cui mi sposerò con vere
nozze a una vera sposa... americana.

[Pinkerton and Sharpless retire to the back of the garden, and look out at the path on the hillside]

Girl Friends (SA)
Ah! ah! ah! ah!
ah! Quanto cielo! quanto mar!
[still within] Quanto cielo! quanto mar!
Butterfly [within]
Ancora un passo or via.
Girl Friends (SA)
Come sei tarda!
Butterfly
Aspetta.
Girl Friends (SA)
Ecco la vetta.
Guarda, guarda quanti fior!
Butterfly [serenely]
Spira sul mare e sulla
terra
Girl Friends (SA)
Quanto cielo! quanto mar!
/ Butterfly
| un primaveril soffio giocondo.
| Sharpless
\ O allegro cinguettar di gioventù!
/ Butterfly
| Io sono la fanciulla
| più lieta del Giappone, anzi del mondo.
| Amiche, io son venuta
| al richiamo d'amor
| d'amor venni alle soglie
| Girl Friends (SA)
| Quanti fior! quanto mar!
| Quanto cielo! quanti fior!
| Gioia a te, gioia a te sia
\ dolce amica,
/ Butterfly
| ove s'accoglie
| il bene di chi vive e di chi muor.
| Girl Friends (S)
| ma pria
| di varcar la soglia che t'attira
| volgiti e mira,
| Girl Friends (AA)
| volgiti e mira
\ le cose che ti son care,
Girl Friends (SAA)
mira quanto cielo, quanti fiori, quanto mar!
/ Butterfly
| Amiche, io son venuta
| al richiamo d'amor,
| al richiamo d'amor,
\ son venuta al richiamo d'amor!
/ Girl Friends (S)
| Gioia a te, gioia a te sia
| dolce amica, ma pria
| di varcar la soglia
| volgiti indietro e mira
| le cose tutte che ti son sì care!
| Girl Friends (A)
| Gioia a te, gioia a te sia
| dolce amica, ma pria
| di varcar la soglia
\ volgiti indietro, dolce amica, e mira!
[Butterfly and her girl friends appear on the stage. They all carry large bright-colored sunshades open]

Butterfly [to her friends]
Siam giunte.
[sees the three men standing together and recognizes Pinkerton. She quickly closes her sunshade and at once introduces him to her friends]
F. B. Pinkerton. Giù. [goes down on her knees]

Girl Friends (SA) [close their sunshades and go down on their knees]
Giù.

[They all rise and ceremoniously approach Pinkerton]

Butterfly
Gran ventura.

Girl Friends (S) [curtseying]
Riverenza.

Pinkerton [smiling]
È un po' dura
la scalata?

Butterfly [measuredly]
A una sposa
costumata
più penosa
è l'impazienza...

Pinkerton [rather sarcastically, but not unkindly]
Molto raro
complimento!

Butterfly [ingenuously]
Dei più belli
ancor ne so.

Pinkerton
Dei gioielli!

Butterfly [anxious to show off her stock of compliments]
Se vi è caro
sul momento...

Pinkerton
Grazie... no.

Sharpless [after scanning the group of maidens with curiosity, approaches Butterfly, who listens to him attentively]
Miss Butterfly Bel nome, vi sta a meraviglia.
Siete di Nagasaki?

Butterfly
Signor sì. Di famiglia
assai prospera un tempo.
[to her friends] Verità?

Girl Friends (S) [assenting with alacrity]
Verità!

Butterfly [quite simply]
Nessuno si confessa mai nato in povertà,
non c'è vagabondo che a sentirlo non sia
di gran prosapia. Eppur
conobbi la ricchezza. Ma il turbine rovescia
le quercie più robuste... e abbiam fatto la ghescia
per sostentarci.
[to her friends] Vero?

Girl Friends (S) [corroborating her]
Vero!

Butterfly
Non lo nascondo,
nè m'adonto.
[noticing that Sharpless smiles]
Ridete? Perché?... Cose del mondo.

Pinkerton [has listened with interest and turns to Sharpless]
(Con quel fare di bambola quando parla m'infiamma...)

Sharpless [he also is interested in Butterfly's prattle, and continues to question her]
E ci avete sorelle?

Butterfly
Non signore. Ho la mamma.

Goro [importantly]
Una nobile dama.

Butterfly
Ma senza farle torto
povera molto anch'essa.

Sharpless
E vostro padre?

Butterfly [stops short in surprise, then answers very shortly]
Morto.

The friends hang their heads. Goro is embarassed. They all fans themselves nervously.

Butterfly [to break the painful silence, Butterfly turns to Pinkerton]
Ma ho degli altri parenti:
uno zio Bonzo.

Pinkerton [with exaggerated surprise]
Senti!

Girl Friends (S)
Un mostro di sapienza.

Goro
Un fiume d'eloquenza!

Pinkerton
Grazia, grazia, mio Dio!

Butterfly
Ci ho ancora un'altro zio!
Ma quello...

Girl Friends (S)
Gran corbello!

Butterfly [Kind-heartedly trying to hush them up]
Ha un po' la testa a zonzo.

Girl Friends (S)
Perpetuo tavernaio.

Pinkerton
Capisco, un Bonzo e un gonzo.
I due mi fanno il paio.

Butterfly [mortified]
Ve ne rincresce?

Pinkerton
Ohibò!
Per quel che me ne fo!

[while Pinkerton is speaking with Butterfly, Goro leads Sharpless up to the friends and cerimoniously introduces some of them to the Consul.]

Sharpless [returning to Butterfly]
Quant' anni avete?

Butterfly [with almost childish coquetry]
Indovinate.

Sharpless
Dieci.

Butterfly
Crescete.

Sharpless
Venti.

Butterfly
Calate.
Quindici netti, netti;
[slyly]
sono vecchia diggià.

Sharpless
Quindici anni!

Pinkerton
Quindici anni!

Sharpless
L'età
dei giuochi...

Pinkerton
e dei confetti.

Pinkerton [To Goro, who claps his hands, summoning the three servants, who come running out from the house]
Qua i tre musi. Servite
ragni e mosche candite.
[Goro gives them the orders which he in his turn takes from Pinkerton]
Nidi al giulebbe e quale
è licor più indigesto
e più nauseabonda leccornìa
della Nipponerìa.
[Goro signs to the servants to hurry into the house and to bring out everything]

[Having received fresh orders from Pinkerton, Goro is jsut going into the house himself, when he perceives some more people climbing the hill; he goes to look, then runs to announce the new arrivals to Pinkerton and Sharpless]

Goro [announces importantly]
L'Imperial Commissario, l'Ufficiale
del registro, i congiunti.

Pinkerton
Fate presto.
[Goro runs into the house]

From the path in the background Butterfly's relations are seen climbing the hill and passing along: Butterfly and her friends go to meet them: deep bows and kowtowing: the relatiosn stare curiously at the two Americans. Pinkerton has taken Sharpless by the arm, and leading him to one side, laughingly makes him look at the quaint group of relations.
The Imperial Commissioner and the official Registrar remain in the background.

Pinkerton
Che burletta la sfilata
della nova parentela,
tolta in prestito, a mesata,

Relations and friends (4 only) (S) [to Butterfly]
Dov'è?
Relations and friends (4 only) (TT) [to Butterfly]
Dov'è?

Butterfly, Relations and friends (4 others) (AA) [pointing to Pinkerton]
Eccolo là!

Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST) [to the Cousin]
Ecco, perché
prescelta fu,
vuol far con te
/ la soprappiù
| Relations and friends (3 others) (AT)
| La sua beltà
| già disfiorì.
| Relations and friends (3 others) (T) [pitying Butterfly]
| La sua beltà
\ già disfiorì.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST)
Divorzierà.
Cousin, Relations and friends (3 others) (A)
Spero di sì.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 others) (T)
Spero di sì.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 others) (SA)
La sua beltà
già disfiorì.

Goro [annoyed at the idle chatter, goes from one to another, entreating them to lower their voices]
Per carità
tacete un po'.

Uncle Yakusidé [staring at the servants who are bringing wines and liquors]
Vino ce n'è?

The Mother [leering, trying to keep out of sight], the Aunt
Guardiamo un po'.

Goro [tries again to stop their chatter, then he signs them to be silent]
Per carità
tacete un po'...
Sch! sch! sch!

Sharpless [to Pinkerton, aside]
O amico fortunato!

[at signs from Goro the relations and guest crowd together in a bunch, but still chattering excitedly]

Sharpless
badate!...
Ella ci crede.
[points to Butterfly]

Butterfly
Mamma, vien qua.
[to the others] Badate a me:
attenti, orsù,
[spoken, in childish tones]
uno, due, tre
e tutti giù.
[at a sign from Butterfly they all kowtow to Pinkerton and Sharpless]

[Butterfly introduces her relations to Pinkerton, whilst the others note with marked satisfaction the liquors and sweetmeats which have been spread]

Butterfly
Mia madre.

Pinkerton
Assai felice.

The Mother
Vostra Grazia ha lo splendor del giglio.

Butterfly
Mia cugina e suo figlio.

Pinkerton [giving the child a playful smack; the latter draws back timidly]
Ben piantato... promette...

The Cousin [bowing]
Eccellenza...

Butterfly
Lo zio Yakusidé.

Pinkerton
È quello?.. [laughing loudly] Ah! ah!

Relations and Friends (SAT) [pushing Yakusidé forward]
Yakusidé...
[laughing] Ah! ah!

Yakusidé [laughing]
Eh! eh! eh! eh!
[obsequiously, to Pinkerton]
Salute agli avi, gloriose gesta.

Relations and Friends (one half) (ST) [to Pinkerton]
Buona vista ai tuoi occhi.

Relations and Friends (the other half) (ST)
Buona pianelle ai piedi.

Yakusidé
Salute agli avi, gloriose gesta.

Pinkerton [thanks them all, and to get rid of them shows them the delicacies spread out, then he turns to Sharpless again]
Dio, come son sciocchi!

[Goro accompanies the Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar to the table with writing materials. The Consul examines the papers and gets the bond ready.]
[Pinkerton approaches Butterfly.]

Pinkerton [gently, offering Butterfly some sweetmeats, while the Mother and the Cousin rise and join the rest of the relatives]
All'amor mio!
[seeing that Butterfly appears embarrased]
Vi spiacciono i confetti?

Butterfly
Signor B. F. Pinkerton,
[shows him her hands and arms which are encumbered by stuffed-out sleeves]
perdono...
Io vorrei... pochi oggetti
da donna...

Pinkerton
Dove sono?

Butterfly [pointing to her sleeves]
Sono qui... vi dispiace?

Pinkerton [rather astonished, smiles, then quickly and gallantly reassures her]
O perché mai,
mia bella Butterfly?

Butterfly [empties her sleeves, placing their contents one by one on a stool]
Fazzoletti. La pipa. Una cintura.
Un piccolo fermaglio.
Uno specchio. Un ventaglio.

Pinkerton [sees a jar]
Quel barattolo?

Butterfly
Un vaso di tintura.

Pinkerton
Ohibò!

Butterfly
Vi spiace?...
[throws away the pot of paint]
Via!
[draws forth a long narrow sheath]

Pinkerton
E quello?

Butterfly [very gravely]
Cosa sacra e mia.

Pinkerton [curiously]
E non si può vedere?

Butterfly
C'è troppa gente.
[beseechingly and grave, lays down the sheath very reverently]
Perdonate.

Goro [who has approached, whispers to Pinkerton]
È un presente
del Mikado a suo padre... coll'invito...
[imitating the action of suicide]

Pinkerton [softly to Goro]
E... suo padre?

Goro
Ha obbedito.
[withdraws, mingling with the guests]

Butterfly [takes some images from her sleeves and shows them to Pinkerton]
Gli Ottokè.

Pinkerton [takes one and examines it with curiosity]
Quei pupazzi? Avete detto?..

Butterfly
Son l'anime degli avi.
[puts down the images, then rises]

Pinkerton
Ah!... il mio rispetto.

Butterfly [leads Pinkerton to one side and says to him in respectfully confidential tones:]
Ieri son salita
tutta sola in secreto alla Missione.
Colla nuova mia vita
posso adottare nuova religione.
[timidly]
Lo zio Bonzo nol sa,
nè i miei lo sanno. Io seguo il mio destino
e piena d'umiltà
al Dio del signor Pinkerton m'inchino.
È mio destino.
Per me spendeste cento
yen, ma vivrò con molta economia.
E per farvi contento
potrò quasi obliar la gente mia.
[goes to take up the images]
E questi: via.
[cutting short the note, and appearing alarmed lest her relatives should have overheard her]
[Butterfly throws down the Ottoké]

Goro [Meanwhile Goro has approached the Consul, and having received his orders, thunders forth in stentorian tones:]
Tutti zitti!

[The chattering ceases: they all leave off eating and drinking and come forward in a circle, listening with much interest. Pinkerton and Butterfly stand in the centre.]

The Commissioner [reads out]
È concesso al nominato
Mister B. F. Pinkerton,
Luogotenente nella cannoniera
Lincoln, marina degli Stati Uniti
America del Nord:
ed alla damigella Butterfly
del quartiere d'Omara-Nagasaki,
d'unirsi in matrimonio, per dritto
il primo, della propria volontà,
ed ella per consenso dei parenti
[hands the bond for signature]
qui testimonî all'atto.

Goro [with much unction]
Lo sposo.
[Pinkerton signs]
Poi la sposa.
[Butterfly signs]
E tutto è fatto.
[The relatives hasten to sign]

[The friends approach Butterfly full of congratulations and deep bows]

Girl Friends (S)
Madama Butterfly.

Butterfly [corrects them, with finger raised]
Madama B. F. Pinkerton.

[The friends cluster round Butterfly and congratulate her: meanwhile the Registrar removes the bond and the other papers, then informs the Commissioner that the ceremony is over.]

The Commissioner [congratulating Pinkerton]
Augurî molti.

Pinkerton
I miei ringraziamenti.
[bowing to him]

The Commissioner [approaches the Consul]
Il signor Console scende?

Sharpless
L'accompagno.
[nodding to Pinkerton]
Ci vedrem domani.
[shaking hands with Pinkerton]

Pinkerton
A meraviglia.

The Registrar [Taking leave of Pinkerton]
Posterità.

Pinkerton
Mi proverò.

[The Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar depart, to go down to the town]

Sharpless [Comes back again and says to Pinkerton in significant tones]
Giudizio!

[Pinkerton reassures him with a gesture and gives him a friendly wave of the hand]
[Sharpless goes down by the path. Pinkerton who has gone towards the background, waves his hand to him again.]

Pinkerton [Returns to the front, and says to himself, rubbing his hands:]
(Ed eccoci in famiglia.
Sbrighiamoci al più presto e in modo onesto.)
[gaily to Yakusidé]
Qua, signor Zio.
[mixing him some whisky]
Ah, ah, il bicchiere della staffa.

Yakusidé
Magari due dozzine!

Pinkerton [giving him the bottle]
E allora la caraffa.

Friends (some) (T) [making fun of Yakusidé]
Il beone!
Friends (others) (T)
Il beone!
Relations and Friends (some) (S) [making fun of Yakusidé]
Il beone!
Relations and Friends (others) (A)
Il beone!
Relations and Friends (some) (T) [laughing]
Ah, ah, ah!
Relations and Friends (S) [laughing]
Ah, ah, ah!
Relations and Friends (others) (T)
Ah, ah, ah!
Relations and Friends (A) [laughing]
Ah, ah, ah!

Yakusidé [pompously, without heeding the mockers]
Bevi il tuo Saki e a Dio piega il ginocchio.

Relations and Friends (S) [mocking him]
Bevi il tuo Saki, bevi il tuo Saki e a Dio piega il ginocchio!

Relations and Friends (T)
Bevi il tuo Saki,
bevi il tuo Saki e a Dio piega il ginocchio.

Pinkerton [is about to mix some drink for Butterfly's mother]
La suocera...

Butterfly [stops him pouring out]
Non beve.

Pinkerton [turning from one to another and offering]
Le cugine,
le amiche,... due confetti e un bicchier
di Porto.

Yakusidé [coming forward eagerly]
Con piacere!

Relations and Friends (half) (S) [drive Yakusidé away]
Il beone!
Relations and Friends (the other half) (A)
Il beone!

Goro [to Pinkerton, so that he may not encourage the drunkard too much]
Piano, signore, signore, piano!
ch'egli berrebbe il gran padre oceàno!
Relations and Friends (STT)
Piano, signore, signore, piano!
ch'egli berrebbe il gran padre oceàno!

Pinkerton [to the child, giving him a lot of sweets]
A te marmocchio;
spalanca le tue maniche e insacca,
insacca chicche e pasticci a macca.
[takes a glass and raises it]
Ip! Ip!

Chorus (S) [toasting]
O Kami! o Kami!
Pinkerton
Beviamo ai novissimi legami,
Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
O Kami! o Kami!
Pinkerton
beviamo ai novissimi legami.
Cousin, The Mother
Beviamo, beviamo!
a Cousin, The Mother, Chorus (SA)
O Kami! o Kami!
Beviamo ai novissimi legami.
[the toasts are interrupted by strange cries coming from the path on the hill]

Her uncle, the Bonze [from the distance]
Cio-cio-san!
[at this shout all the relations and friends are thunderstruck, and huddle together in terror: Butterfly remains alone in a corner]
Cio-cio-san!
Abbominazione!

Butterfly, Chorus (ST) [amazed]
Lo zio Bonzo!

/ Goro [annoyed at the Bonze's arrival]
| Un corno al guastafeste!
| Chi ci leva d'intorno
| le persone moleste?...
| The Bonze
\ Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san!
Goro [signs to the servants to take away the tables, stools and cushions; and then prudently retires, grumbling furiously]

The Bonze [coming nearer]
Cio-cio-san!
[In the background appears the odd figure of the Bonze, who comes forward in a rage]
Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze [at the sight of Butterfly, who stands isolated from the rest, the Bonze stretches out his hands threateningly towards her]
Che hai
tu fatto alla Missione?

Chorus and the Cousin (ST)
Rispondi, Cio-cio-san!

Pinkerton [angry at the scene made by the Bonze]
Che mi strilla quel matto?

The Bonze
Rispondi, che hai tu fatto?

Friends and relations (ST) [anxiously, turning to Butterfly]
Rispondi, Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze
Come, hai tu gli occhi asciutti?
Son dunque questi i frutti?
[shouting]
Ci ha rinnegato tutti!

Chorus (SATT) [scandolized, shouting long and loud]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze
Rinnegato vi dico,...
il culto antico.

Chorus (ST) [shouting]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze [hurls imprecations at Butterfly, who hides her face in her hands: her mother comes forward to protect her, but the Bonze pushes her away roughly, and approaches Butterfly in a fury, shouting in her face:]
Kami sarundasico!

Chorus (ST)
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze
All'anima tua guasta
qual supplizio sovrasta!

Pinkerton [has lost patience, and intervenes between the Bonze and Butterfly]
Ehi, dico: basta, basta!

The Bonze [at the sound of Pinkerton's voice the Bonze stops short in amazement, then with a sudden resolve he invites relations and friends to come away]
Venite tutti. Andiamo!
[to Butterfly]
Ci hai rinnegato e noi...

[all retire hastily to the back and stretch their arms towards Butterfly]

Yakusidé and The Bonze, Chorus and Cousin (ST)
Ti rinneghiamo!

Pinkerton [authoritatively ordering all to depart]
Sbarazzate all'istante. In casa mia
niente baccano e niente bonzeria.

Chorus (ST) [shout]
Hou!

[at Pinkerton's words, they all rush hastily towards the path which leads down to the town: Butterfly's mother again tries to approach her, but is dragged away by the others]

Chorus (ST) [as they go out]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!
[rather far off]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

[By degrees the voices grow faint in the distance.Butterfly remains motionless and silent, her face buried in her hands, whilst Pinkerton has gone to the top of the path, to make sure that all these troublesome guest have really gone]

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
Kami sarundasico

Chorus (S)
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
Ti rinneghiamo!

Relations and friends (S) [emphatically]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (ST) [emphatically]
Ti rinneghiamo!

Chorus (ST)
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

[evening begins to close in]

Chorus (S) [very far off]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

[Butterfly burst into childish tears. Pinkerton hears her and anxiously hastens to her side, supporting her in her fainting condition and tenderly taking her hands from her tearful face]

Pinkerton
Bimba, bimba, non piangere
per gracchiar di ranocchi...

Chorus (S) [very far away]
Hou! Cio-cio-san!

Butterfly [holding her ears, so as not to hear the shouts]
Urlano ancor!

Pinkerton [cheering her]
Tutta la tua tribù
e i Bonzi tutti del Giappon non valgono
il pianto di quegli occhi
cari e belli.

Butterfly [smiling with childlike pleasure]
Davver?
[evening begins to fall]
Non piango più.
E quasi del ripudio non mi duole
per le vostre parole
che mi suonan così dolci nel cor.
[stoops to kiss Pinkerton's hand]

Pinkerton [gently stopping her]
Che fai?... la man?

Butterfly
M'han detto
che laggiù fra la gente costumata
è questo il segno del maggior rispetto.

Suzuki [within] [murmuring]
E Izaghi ed Izanami
sarundasico, e Kami,
e Izaghi ed Izanami
sarundasico, e Kami.

Pinkerton [wondering at the subdued murmurs]
Chi brontola lassù?

Butterfly
È Suzuki che fa la sua preghiera
seral.

[Evening draws in more and more and Pinkerton leads Butterfly towards the house]

Pinkerton
Viene la sera

Butterfly
e l'ombra e la quiete.

Pinkerton
E sei qui sola.

Butterfly
Sola e rinnegata!
Rinnegata... e felice!

Pinkerton [Pinkerton claps his hands thrice: the servants and Suzuki hasten in and Pinkerton orders:]
A voi, chiudete.

[the servants silently slide along several partitions]

Butterfly [with deep feeling to Pinkerton]
Sì, sì, noi tutti soli...
E fuori il mondo...

Pinkerton [laughing]
E il Bonzo furibondo.
[sits down and takes a cigarette]

Butterfly [to Suzuki, who has come in with the servants is awaiting orders]
Suzuki, le mie vesti.

[Suzuki rummages in a trunk and gives Butterfly her night attire and a small box with toilet requirements.]

Suzuki [bowing low to Pinkerton]
Buona notte.

[Pinkerton claps his hands, the servants run away].
Butterfly retires to a corner at the back, and assisted by Suzuki, carefully performs her toilet for the night, exchanging her wedding-garment for one of pure white; then she sits down on a cushion and looking in a small hand-mirror arranges her hair. Suzuki goes out.

Pinkerton [raises Butterfly gently, and goes out with her on the terrace]
Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malìa
ora sei tutta mia.
Sei tutta vestita di giglio.
Mi piace la treccia tua bruna
fra candidi veli.

Butterfly [goes down from the terrace, Pinkerton follows her]
Somiglio
la Dea della luna,
la piccola Dea della luna che scende
la notte dal ponte del ciel.

Pinkerton
E affascina i cuori...

Butterfly
E li prende,
e li avvolge in un bianco mantel.
E via se li reca
negli alti reami,

Pinkerton
Ma intanto finor non m'hai detto,
ancor non m'hai detto che m'ami.
Le sa quella Dea le parole
che appagan gli ardenti desir?

Butterfly
Le sa. Forse dirle non vuole
per tema d'averne a morir,
per tema d'averne a morir!

Pinkerton
Stolta paura, l'amor non uccide
ma dà vita, e sorride
per gioie celestiali
[drawing close to Butterfly and taking her face in his hands]
come ora fa nei tuoi lunghi occhi ovali.
[Butterfly, with a sudden movement, withdraws herself from Pinkerton's ardent embrace]

Butterfly [reticently]
Pensavo: se qualcuno mi volesse...
[stops short]

Pinkerton
Perchè t'interrompi?

Butterfly [resuming, simply]
...pensavo: se qualcuno mi volesse
forse lo sposerei per qualche tempo.
Fu allora che il nakodo
le vostre nozze ci propose.
Ma, vi dico in verità
a tutta prima le propose invano.
Un uomo americano!
Un barbaro! una vespa!
Scusate, non sapevo...

Pinkerton [encouraging her to go on]
Amor mio dolce! E poi?..
Racconta...

Butterfly
Adesso voi
siete per me l'occhio del firmamento.
E mi piaceste dal primo momento
che vi ho veduto.

[Butterfly has a sudden panic and puts her hands to her ears, as though she still heard her relatives shouting; then she rallies and once more turns confidingly to Pinkerton.]

Siete
alto, forte. Ridete
con modi si palesi!
E dite cose che mai non intesi.
Or son contenta,
or son contenta.

[Night has closed in completely: the sky is unclouded and closely strewn with stars]

Butterfly [slowly drawing nearer to Pinkerton] [tenderly, almost beseechingly]
Vogliatemi bene,
un bene piccolino,
un bene da bambino
quale a me si conviene,
vogliatemi bene.
Noi siamo gente avvezza
alle piccole cose
umili e silenziose,
ad una tenerezza
sfiorante e pur profonda
come il ciel, come l'onda
del mare.

Pinkerton
Dammi ch'io baci le tue mani care.
[bursts out very tenderly]
Mia Butterfly! come t'han ben nomata
tenue farfalla...
[at these words Butterfly's face clouds over and she withdraws her hands]

Butterfly
Dicon ch'oltre mare
se cade in man dell'uom,
[with an expression of fear]
ogni farfarla
da uno spillo è trafitta
[with anguish] ed in tavola infitta!..

Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling]
Un po' di vero c'è.
E tu lo sai perchè?
Perchè non fugga più.
[with ardour and embracing her affectionately]
Io t'ho ghermita...
Ti serro palpitante.
Sei mia.

Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms]
Sì, per la vita.

Pinkerton
Vieni, vieni...
[Butterfly draws back, as though ashamed of having been too bold]
Via dall'anima in pena
l'angoscia paurosa.
[points to the starlit sky]
È notte serena!
Guarda: dorme ogni cosa!

Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured]
Ah! Dolce notte!..

Pinkerton
Vieni, vieni...

Butterfly
Quante stelle!
/ Non le vidi mai sì belle!
| Pinkerton
\ È notte serena!
Ah! vieni, vieni.
È notte serena!..
Guarda: dorme ogni cosa!

Butterfly
Dolce notte! Quante stelle!
Pinkerton
Vieni, vieni!
Butterfly
Non le vidi mai sì belle!
Pinkerton
Vieni, vieni!
Butterfly
Trema, brilla ogni favilla
Pinkerton
Vien, sei mia!...
Butterfly
col baglior d'una pupilla. Oh!
/ Oh! quanti occhi fisi, attenti
| d'ogni parte a riguardar!
| pei firmamenti,
| via pei lidi, via pel mare...
| Pinkerton [with amorous desire]
| Via l'angoscia dal tuo cor!
| Ti serro palpitante.
| Sei mia.
| Ah! Vien, vien sei mia
| ah! vieni, guarda:
\ dorme ogni cosa!..
Ti serro palpitante.
Ah, vien!

[They go up from the garden into the house].

The curtain falls.

End of Act I.

Act II
- Part 1
- Part 2

Main pages: [ Libretto | Opera | Composer | OperaGlass]

29 Mar 2009

L. ILLICA & G. GIACOSA; R. H. ELKIN / GIACOMO PUCCINI

Madam Butterfly

Act I
Act II

Act I.

A Japanese house, terrace and garden.
Below, in the background, the bay, the harbour and the town of Nagasaki.

The curtain rises.
[From the room at the back of the little house, Goro, with much bowing and scraping, leads in Pinkerton, and with much ostentation but still obsequiously, draws his attention to the details of the structure. Goro makes a partition slide out at the back, and explains its use to Pinkerton]
[They come forward a little on the terrace]

Pinkerton [surprised at all he has seen, says to Goro:]
And the walls – and the ceiling...

Goro [enjoying Pinkerton's surprise]
They will come and will go,
just as it may suit your fancy
to exchange and to vary
new and old in the same surroundings.

Pinkerton [looking around]
The marriage chamber,
where is it?

Goro [pointing in two directions]
Here, or there!... according...

Pinkerton
A wonderful contrivance!
The hall?

Goro [showing the terrace]
Behold!

Pinkerton [amazed]
In the open?...

Goro [makes the partition slide out towards the terrace]
A wall slides outward...

Pinkerton [whilst Goro is making the partitions slide out]
I see now!... I see it!... Another...

Goro
Runs along!

Pinkerton
And so the fairy dwelling...

Goro [protesting]
Springs like a tow'r from nowhere,
complete from base to attic.
[invites Pinkerton to go down into the garden]

Pinkerton
Comes and goes as by magic!

[Goro claps his hands loudly three times]
[enter two men and a woman who humbly and slowly go down on their knees before Pinkerton]

Goro [in rather nasal tones, pointing to them]
This is the trusty handmaid,
who waits upon your wife,
[fulsomely] faithful and devoted.
The cook... And this the servant. They're embarrass'd
at such great honour.

Pinkerton [impatiently]
Their names?

Goro [pointing to Suzuki]
Miss Gentle Breeze-of Morning.
[pointing to one servant] Ray-of-the-golden Sunbeam.
[pointing to the other servant] Sweet-scented Pinetree.

Pinkerton
Foolishly chosen nicknames!
I will call them scarecrows!
[pointing to them one by one]
scarecrow first, scarecrow second, and scarecrow third!

Suzuki [still on her knees, but grown bolder, raises her head]
Your Honour deigns to smile?
Your smile is fair as flow'rs.
Thus spake the wise Ocunama:
A smile conquers all, and defies
ev'ry trouble. Pearls may be won by smiling;
Smiles can ope the portals
of Paradise.
The perfume of the Gods,
the fountain of Life,
Thus spake the wise Ocunama:
A smile conquers all,
defies ev'ry trouble.
[Pinkerton is bored, and his attention wanders]

Goro [perceiving that Pinkerton begins to be bored at Suzuki's loquacity, claps his hands thrice]
[The three rise and quickly disappear into the house]

Pinkerton
When they begin to talk,
alike I find all women.
[to Goro who has gone to the back to look out]
Why look you?

Goro
Watching for the bride's arrival.

Pinkerton
All is ready?

Goro
Ev'ry detail.
[thanks with a deep bow]

Pinkerton
You shining light of brokers!

Goro
There will come: the official registrar,
the relations, your country's Consul,
your future wife. Here you'll sign the contract
and solemnize the marriage.

Pinkerton
Are there many relations?

Goro
Her mother, grandam, and the Bonze, her uncle,
(who'll hardly honour us with his appearance)
and her cousins, male and female,
Of ancestors I reckon... and other blood relations,
Around two dozen.
As to the descendants...
that may be left I reckon,
[with obsequious presumption]
to your Honour and lovely Butterfly.

Pinkerton
O shining light of brokers!
[Goro thanks him with a deep bow]

Sharpless [from within, rather far off]
A plague on this steep ascent!
Stumbling! and spluttering!

Goro [who has run to the background, announces:]
Here comes the Consul.
[bows low before the Consul]

Sharpless [enters, quite out of breath]
Ah! the scramble up
has left me breathless!

Pinkerton [goes to meet the Consul: they shake hands]
Good-day, friend, welcome.

Goro [to the Consul]
Good-day, sir, welcome.

Sharpless
Ough!

Pinkerton
Quickly, Goro,
fetch some refreshment.
[Goro hurries into the house]

Sharpless [panting and looking around]
Lofty!

Pinkerton [Pointing to the view]
But lovely!

Sharpless [looking at the sea and the town below]
Nagasaki, the ocean,
the harbour...

Pinkerton [pointing to the house]
This is a dwelling
which is managed by magic.
[Goro comes bustling out of the house, followed by the two servants. They bring glasses, bottles and two wicker lounges: they place the glasses and bottles on a small table, and return to the house]

Sharpless
Yours?

Pinkerton
I bought this house
for nine hundred and ninety nine years,
but with the option, at ev'ry month,
to cancel the contract!
I must say, in this country,
the houses and the contracts are elastic!

Sharpless
The man of bus'ness profits by it.

Pinkerton
Surely.
[invites Sharpless to be seated]

Pinkerton [frankly]
The whole world over,
on business and pleasure,
the Yankee travels all danger scorning.
His anchor boldly he casts at random...
[breaking off to offer Sharpless a drink]
Milk-Punch, or Whisky?
[resuming]
His anchor boldly he casts at random,
until a sudden squall
upsets his ship, then up go sails and rigging.
And life is not worth living
if he can't win the best
and fairest of each country,...

Sharpless
That's an easy-going gospel...

Pinkerton [continuing]
and the heart of each maid.

Sharpless
A very easy gospel
which makes life very pleasant,
but is fatal in the end.

Pinkerton
Fate cannot crush him, he tries again undaunted.
No one and nothing
breaks his plucky spirit.
And so I'm marrying in Japanese fashion,
tied for nine hundred
and ninety nine years!
Free, though, to annul the marriage monthly!

Sharpless
An easy going gospel.

Pinkerton
``America for ever!''

Sharpless
``America for ever!''

Sharpless
Is the bride very pretty?

[Goro, who has overheard, approaches the terrace eagerly and officiously]

Goro
Fair as a garland
of fragrant flowers. Brighter
than a star in the heavens.
And for nothing: one hundred
yen!
[to the Consul] If your Augustness will entrust me,
I have a fine selection...

[The Consul laughingly declines]

Pinkerton [very impatiently]
Go and fetch her, Goro.
[Goro runs to the back and disappears down the hill]

Sharpless
What folly has seized you!
D'you think you are
intoxicated?

Pinkerton
May be! Perhaps! Depends
[rises impatiently, Sharpless rises also]
what you call intoxication!
Is't love or fancy,
I cannot tell you. All that I know is,
she, with her innocent charm has entranc'd me.
Almost transparently fragile and slender,
Dainty in stature, quaint little figure,
Seems to have stepped down
straight from a screen.
But from her background of varnish and lacquer,
Suddenly light as a feather she flutters,
And like a butterfly, hovers and settles,
With so much charm, such seductive graces,
That to rush after her a wild wish seized me
Tho' in the quest her frail wings should be broken.

Sharpless [seriously and kindly]
The other day, she came up
to call at the Consulate!
I did not see her, but I heard her speak.
And the mystery of her voice
touched my very soul.
Surely, love that is pure and true, speaks like that.
It were indeed sad pity
to tear those dainty wings,
and perchance to torment a trusting heart.

Pinkerton
Dearly beloved Consul,
allay your fears! We know
Sharpless
It were indeed sad pity...
Pinkerton
men of your age look on life with mournful eyes.
/ No harm I reckon these wings to raise
| and guide them to the tender flights of love!
| Sharpless
| No cry of anguish should e'er be utter'd
\ by that gentle and trusting little voice.

Pinkerton [offers him more to drink]
Whisky?

Sharpless
Yes, mix me another.
[Pinkerton mixes Sharpless some whisky, and also fills up his own glass]

Sharpless [raises his glass]
Here's to your friends and relations at home.

Pinkerton [also raises his glass]
And to the day on which I'll wed
in real marriage a real wife a wife from America.

/ Goro [reappears, running breathlessly up the hill]
| See them! they've mounted the summit of the hill!
| [pointing toward the path]
| A crowd of women hustling,
| Like the wind in branches rustling,
| Here they come bustling!
| Butterfly's Girl Friends (SA) [Behind the scenes, far off]
\ Ah! ah! ah!

[Pinkerton and Sharpless retire to the back of the garden, and look out at the path on the hillside]

Girl Friends (SA)
Ah! ah! ah! ah!
ah! what a sky! and what a sea!
[still within] What a sky! and what a sea!
Butterfly [within]
There is one step more to climb.
Girl Friends (SA)
How long you tarry,
Butterfly
One moment.
Girl Friends (SA)
at last the summit.
Look, oh look, the mass of flow'rs!
Butterfly [serenely]
Across the earth and o'er the ocean,
Girl Friends (SA)
what a sky! and what a sea!
/ Butterfly
| Balmy breeze and scent of spring are blowing
| Sharpless
\ Oh happy prattle, careless days of youth!
/ Butterfly
| I am the happiest maiden,
| the happiest in Japan,
| in all the world!
| Friends, I have obey'd
| the summons, the sweet summons of love,
| upon the threshold standing,
| Girl Friends (SA)
| Oh, what flow'rs what a sea!
| What a sea! how many flow'rs!
| Best of luck, good luck attend you,
\ gentle maiden,
/ Butterfly
| Ah, here the glory
| that life or death can offer doth now await me.
| Girl Friends (S)
| but 'ere you
| go beyond the threshold which invites you,
| turn and admire,
| Girl Friends (AA)
| Turn and admire
\ all the things your heart holds so dear;
Girl Friends (SAA)
admire the lovely sky, the lovely flowers and the sea!
/ Butterfly
| Dear maidens, I hastened here
| at the call of my heart,
| at the call of my beating heart!
\ I have come hither at the call of my heart!
/ Girl Friends (S)
| Best of fortune attend on you
| gentle maiden, but 'ere
| you cross o'er the threshold
| pause and look behind
| you, and admire the things you hold the dearest!
| Girl Friends (AA)
| Best of fortune attend on you
| gentle maiden, but 'ere
| you cross o'er the threshold
\ pause and look behind you, and admire and wonder!
[Butterfly and her girl friends appear on the stage. They all carry large bright-coloured sunshades open.]

Butterfly [to her friends]
We're there now.
[sees the three men standing together and recognizes Pinkerton. She quickly closes her sunshade and at once introduces him to her friends.]
B. F. Pinkerton. Down. [goes down on her knees.]

Girl Friends (SA) [close their sunshades and go down on their knees.]
Down.

[They all rise and ceremoniously approach Pinkerton]

Butterfly
Augustly welcome.

Girl Friends (S) [curtseying]
Hail! most Mighty.

Pinkerton [smiling]
The ascent is
rather trying?

Butterfly [measuredly]
Not so trying
to a bride
as are the weary hours
of waiting...

Pinkerton [rather sarcastically, but not unkindly]
What a pretty
compliment!

Butterfly [ingenuously]
I know better ones
than that...

Pinkerton
Gems, I doubt not!

Butterfly [anxious to show off her stock of compliments]
If you care for some
at present...

Pinkerton
Thank you... no.

Sharpless [after scanning the group of maidens with curiosity, approaches Butterfly, who listens to him attentively]
Miss ``Butterfly'' How pretty, your name.
was well chosen Are you from Nagasaki?

Butterfly
Sir, I am. My people
were formerly wealthy.
[to her friends] Say so?

Girl Friends (S) [assenting with alacrity]
It is so!

Butterfly [quite simply]
There's no one likes to own that he was born in poverty;
Is not ev'ry vagrant, when you listen to his tale,
of ancient lineage? But yet indeed
I have known riches. But the strongest oak
must fall, when the storm wind wrecks the forest...
and we had to go as geishas to earn our living.
[to her friends] Truly!

Girl Friends (S) [corroborating her]
Truly!

Butterfly
I frankly own it,
and don't blush for it.
[noticing that Sharpless smiles]
You're laughing? And why?... That's how the world runs.

Pinkerton [has listened with interest and turns to Sharpless]
(With her innocent baby-face she sets my heart throbbing...)

Sharpless [he also is interested in Butterfly's prattle, and continues to question her]
And have you no sisters?

Butterfly
None, Augustness. I have my mother.

Goro [importantly]
A most notable lady.

Butterfly
But thro' no fault whatever,
dreadfully poor is she.

Sharpless
And where is your father?

Butterfly [stops short in surprise, then answers very shortly]
Dead.

[The friends hang their heads. Goro is embarassed. They all fan themselves nervously.]

Butterfly [to break the painful silence, Butterfly turns to Pinkerton]
But I have other relations:
there is the Bonze, my uncle.

Pinkerton [with exaggerated surprise]
Never!

Girl Friends (S)
A miracle of wisdom!

Goro
Of eloquence a fountain!

Pinkerton
Thank you, thank you, kind fate!

Butterfly
And yet another uncle!
But that one...

Girl Friends (S)
Good for-nothing!

Butterfly [Kind-heartedly trying to hush them up]
Is just a little wanting.

Girl Friends (S)
An everlasting tippler.

Pinkerton
One thinker, and one drinker!
They make a pretty couple.

Butterfly [mortified]
You are not angry?

Pinkerton
Not I!
I do not care a jot!

[while Pinkerton is speaking with Butterfly, Goro leads Sharpless up to the friends and ceremoniously introduces some of them to the Consul.]

Sharpless [returning to Butterfly]
What might your age be?

Butterfly [with almost childish coquetry]
Now try to guess it!

Sharpless
Ten years.

Butterfly
Guess higher.

Sharpless
Twenty.

Butterfly
Guess lower.
Fifteen, exactly, fifteen!
[slyly]
I am old, am I not?

Sharpless
Fifteen years old!

Pinkerton
Fifteen years old!

Sharpless
The age
of playthings,

Pinkerton
And of sweetmeats!

Pinkerton [To Goro, who claps his hands, summoning the three servants, who come running out from the house.]
Call my scarecrows, to hand round
Candied flies and spiders,
[Goro gives them the orders which he in his turn takes from Pinkerton]
Preserves and pastry, and all
sorts of curious liquors,
And most peculiar delicacies
that they fancy in Japan.
[Goro signs to the servants to hurry into the house and to bring out everything]

[Having received fresh orders from Pinkerton, Goro is just going into the house himself, when he perceives some more people climbing the hill; he goes to look, then runs to announce the new arrivals to Pinkerton and Sharpless]

Goro [announces importantly]
The august High Commissioner;
The official Registrar; the relations.

Pinkerton
Come now, hurry.
[Goro runs into the house]

[From the path in the background Butterfly's relations are seen climbing the hill and passing along: Butterfly and her friends go to meet them: deep bows and kowtowing: the relations stare curiously at the two Americans. Pinkerton has taken Sharpless by the arm, and leading him to one side, laughingly makes him look at the quaint group of relations.]
[The Imperial Commissioner and the official Registrar remain in the background.]

Pinkerton
What a farce is this procession
Of my worthy new relations,
Held on terms of monthly contract!

Relations and friends (4 only) (S) [to Butterfly]
Where is he?
Relations and friends (4 only) (TT) [to Butterfly]
Where is he?

Butterfly, Relations and friends (4 others) (AA) [pointing to Pinkerton]
That is he there!

Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST) [to the Cousin]
Because on her
his choice did fall,
She would look down
/ upon us all!
| Relations and friends (3 others) (AT)
| I think her beauty's
| on the wane.
| Relations and friends (3 others) (T) [pitying Butterfly]
| I think her beauty's
\ on the wane.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 only) (ST)
He'll never stay.
Cousin, Relations and friends (3 others) (A)
I hope he won't.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 others) (T)
I hope he won't.
Relations and friends (3 only & 3 others) (SA)
I think her beauty
on the wane.

Goro [annoyed at the idle chatter, goes from one to another, entreating them to lower their voices]
For goodness' sake
be silent all.

Uncle Yakusidé [staring at the servants who are bringing wines and liquors]
Is there no wine?

The Mother [leering, trying to keep out of sight], The Aunt
Let's look around.

Goro [tries again to stop their chatter, then he signs them to be silent]
For pity's sake
be silent now!
Sh! sh! sh!

Sharpless [to Pinkerton, aside]
Indeed, my friend, you're lucky!

[at signs from Goro the relations and guests crowd together in a bunch, but still chattering excitedly.]

/ Relations and friends and the Cousin (S)
| Goro offer'd him to me!
| Relations and friends and the Mother (A)
| He is grand, I think him fine!
| Pinkerton
| Ah she's a gem, a flower.
| Sharpless
\ Ah trebly lucky Pinkerton,
[meanwhile Goro has made the servants bring out some small tables on which are placed various cakes, sweetmeats, wines, liquors, and tea-sets.]
/ Relations and friends and the Cousin (S)
| Goro offer'd him to me!
| Relations and friends and the Mother (A)
| He is grand, I think him fine!
| Pinkerton
| Her fascinating presence
| Sharpless
\ Since fate has let you gather
/ Relations and friends and the Cousin (S)
| But my answer it was no!
| Relations and friends and the Mother (A)
| I would not have answered no!
| Pinkerton
| Fans the flame of my passion.
| Sharpless
\ A flower hardly open'd
[They then place on one side some cushions and a table, with writing materials,]
/ Relations and friends and the Cousin (S)
| But I answer'd no!
| Relations and friends and the Mother (A)
\ I would not say no!
Sharpless
I have never seen fairer,
/ nor sweeter maiden than
| this little Butterfly.
| Do not look on this contract
| And on her faith as folly
| Relations and Friends (S)
| I should not have far to seek,
| Better men than him to find
| and I would answer no,
| and I would answer no, no, no!
| Relations and Friends (A)
| No, my dear, that is not so,
| Truly a great lord is he,
| I'd never answer no,
| I'd never answer no, no, no!
| Butterfly [to her people]
| Attention, if you please.
| Pinkerton
| Ah she's a gem, a flower
| Which in good faith I have gather'd!
| Relations and Friends (TT)
\ She will be divorced, she will be divorced, she'll be divorced!

Sharpless
I warn you!
For she trusts you.
[points to Butterfly]

Butterfly
Mother, come here,
[to the others] listen to me:
all of you look,
[spoken, in childish tones]
one, two, three,
all of you down!
[at a sign from Butterfly they all kowtow to Pinkerton and Sharpless]

[Butterfly introduces her relations to Pinkerton, whilst the others note with marked satisfaction the liquors and sweetmeats which have been spread]

Butterfly
My mother.

Pinkerton
Most charm'd to meet you.

The Mother
Your Augustness dazzles me with fairness.

Butterfly
My cousin and her son.

Pinkerton [giving the child a playful smack; the latter draws back timidly]
He bids fair to grow sturdy!

The Cousin [bowing]
Your Augustness.

Butterfly
My uncle Yakusidé.

Pinkerton
Is that he? [laughing loudly] Ha! Ha!

Relations and Friends (SAT) [pushing Yakusidé forward]
Yakusidé...
[laughing] Ha! Ha!

Yakusidé [laughing]
Eh! eh! eh! eh!
[obsequiously to Pinkerton]
Your antecedents shall live forever!

Relations and Friends (one half) (ST) [to Pinkerton]
May the Heavens smile upon thee.

Relations and Friends (the other half) (ST)
May your path be strewn with roses.

Yakusidé
Your antecedents shall live forever.

Pinkerton [thanks them all, and to get rid of them shows them the delicacies spread out, then he turns to Sharpless again]
Lord, what foolish people!

[Goro accompanies the Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar to the table with writing materials. The Consul examines the papers and gets the bond ready.]
[Pinkerton approaches Butterfly.]

Pinkerton [gently, offering Butterfly some sweetmeats, whilst the Mother and the Cousin rise and join the rest of the relatives.]
Here's to our love!
[seeing that Butterfly appears embarrassed]
What, don't you like the sweetmeats?

Butterfly
Mister B. F. Pinkerton,
[shows him her hands and arms which are encumbered by stuffed-out sleeves]
forgive me...
I should like to... a young girl's few possessions.

Pinkerton
But where are they?

Butterfly [pointing to her sleeves]
They are here... are you angry?

Pinkerton [rather astonished, smiles, then quickly and gallantly reassures her]
Nay, angry,
why dear little Butterfly?

Butterfly [empties her sleeves, placing their contents one by one on a stool]
Silken kerchiefs... For smoking... A coloured ribbon.
A little silver buckle...
And a mirror... And a fan...

Pinkerton [sees a jar]
What is that you have?

Butterfly
A little jar of carmine.

Pinkerton
Oh fie!

Butterfly
You mind it?
[throws away the pot of paint]
There!
[draws forth a long narrow sheath]

Pinkerton
And that thing?

Butterfly [very gravely]
That I hold most sacred.

Pinkerton [curiously]
And am I not to see it?

Butterfly
Not here in public.
[beseeching and grave, lays down the sheath very reverently]
Pray excuse me.

Goro [who has approached, whispers to Pinkerton]
It was sent
by the Mikado to her father, with a message...
[imitating the action of suicide]

Pinkerton [softly to Goro]
And her father?

Goro
Was obedient.
[withdraws, mingling with the guests]

Butterfly [takes some images from her sleeves and shows them to Pinkerton]
The Ottokè.

Pinkerton [takes one and examines it with curiosity]
These small figures? Can you mean it?

Butterfly
The souls of my forefathers.
[puts down the images, then rises]

Pinkerton
Ah! I bow before them.

Butterfly [leads Pinkerton to one side and says to him in respectfully confidential tones:]
Hear what I would tell you:
Yesterday I crept softly to the Mission.
Ent'ring on my new life,
I wish to adopt another religion.
[timidly]
No one knows what I've done,
neither friends nor relations. My fate I have to follow,
And full of humble faith,
I bow before the God of my dear master.
The Fates have willed it.
For me you spent a hundred yen,
But I shall take care to be most frugal.
And to give you more pleasure,
I can almost forget my race and kindred!
[goes to take up the images]
Away they go!
[cutting short the note, and appearing alarmed lest her relatives should have overheard her]
[Butterfly throws down the Ottoké]

Goro [Meanwhile Goro has approached the Consul, and having received his orders, thunders forth in stentorian tones:]
Silence, silence!

[The chattering ceases: they all leave off eating and drinking and come forward in a circle, listening with much interest. Pinkerton and Butterfly stand in the centre.]

The Commissioner [reads out]
Leave is given to the under sign'd,
Mister B. F. Pinkerton,
Lieutenant serving on the gunboat
Abra'm Lincoln, of the United States Navy
of North America:
And to the spinster, known as Butterfly,
Inhabitant of Omara Nagasaki,
To join in bonds of wedlock. To wit
the former, of his free accord and will.
The latter with consent of her relations,
[hands the bond for signature]
Witnesses of the contract.

Goro [with much unction]
The bridegroom.
[Pinkerton signs]
Now the bride.
[Butterfly signs]
And all is settled.
[The relatives hasten to sign]

[The friends approach Butterfly full of congratulations and deep bows]

Girl Friends (S)
Dear Madam Butterfly.

Butterfly [corrects them, with finger raised].
Nay, Madam B. F. Pinkerton.

[The friends cluster round Butterfly and congratulate her: meanwhile the Registrar removes the bond and the other papers, then informs the Commissioner that the ceremony is over.]

The Commissioner [congratulating Pinkerton]
The best of wishes.

Pinkerton
I thank you most sincerely.
[bowing to him]

The Commissioner [approaches the Consul]
May I ask, are you going?

Sharpless
I'll go with you.
[nodding to Pinkerton]
We shall meet tomorrow?
[shaking hands with Pinkerton]

Pinkerton
Tomorrow, surely.

The Registrar [Taking leave of Pinkerton]
The best of luck.

Pinkerton
I'm much obliged.

[The Consul, the Commissioner and the Registrar depart, to go down to the town]

Sharpless [Comes back again and says to Pinkerton in significant tones]
Be careful!

[Pinkerton reassures him with a gesture and gives him a friendly wave of the hand]
[Sharpless goes down by the path. Pinkerton who has gone towards the background, waves his hand to him again.]

Pinkerton [Returns to the front, and says to himself, rubbing his hands:]
(Now quickly to get rid
of this little family party! How shall I do it?)
[gaily to Yakusidé]
This way, good uncle.
[mixing him some whisky]
Here, the stirrup cup for you I'm mixing.

Yakusidé
Yes rather! lets have twenty!

Pinkerton [giving him the bottle]
And here's the whisky bottle.

Friends (some) (T) [making fun of Yakusidé]
Oh, the drunkard!
Friends (others) (T)
Oh, the drunkard!
Relations and Friends (some) (S) [making fun of Yakusidé]
Oh! the drunkard!
Relations and Friends (others) (A)
Oh! the drunkard!
Relations and Friends (some) (T) [laughing]
Ha ha ha!
Relations and Friends (S) [laughing]
Ha ha ha!
Relations and Friends (others) (T)
Ha ha ha!
Relations and Friends (A) [laughing]
Ha ha ha!

Yakusidé [pompously, without heeding the mockers]
Drink up your Saki and kneel to the Almighty.

Relations and Friends (S) [mocking him]
Drink up your Saki, drink up your Saki and to your Gods incline your knee.

Relations and Friends (T)
Drink up your Saki,
drink up your Saki and to your Gods incline your knee.

Pinkerton [is about to mix some drink for Butterfly's mother.]
Here's some for you...

Butterfly [stops him pouring out]
No, thank you.

Pinkerton [turning from one to another and offering]
and the friends and relations...
Take some cakes and a glass
of sherry.

Yakusidé [coming forward eagerly]
Thanks, with pleasure

Relations and Friends (half) (S) [drive Yakusidé away]
Oh, the drunkard!
Relations and Friends (the other half) (A)
Oh, the drunkard!

Goro [to Pinkerton, so that he may not encourage the drunkard too much]
Gently, sir, gently, gently, sir, gently!
Give him a chance and he'd drink up the ocean!
Relations and Friends (STT)
Gently, sir, gently, gently, sir, gently!
Give him a chance and he'd drink up the ocean!

Pinkerton [to the child, giving him a lot of sweets]
Your turn, young rascal;
spread out your hands and stuff up your sleeves
With cakes and sweetmeats and lots of pastry:
[takes a glass and raises it]
Hip! Hip!

Chorus (S) [toasting]
O Kami! o Kami!
Pinkerton
Let's drink to the newly married couple,
Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
O Kami! o Kami!
Pinkerton
Let's drink to the newly married couple.
Cousin, The Mother
Let's drink to the couple!
A Cousin, The Mother, Chorus (SA)
O Kami! o Kami!
Let's drink to the newly married couple.
[the toasts are interrupted by strange cries coming from the path on the hill]

Her uncle, the Bonze [from the distance]
Cho-cho-san!
[at this shout all the relations and friends are thunderstruck, and huddle together in terror: Butterfly remains alone in a corner]
Cho-cho-san!
Abomination!

Butterfly [amazed]
/ 'Tis my uncle! | Chorus (ST) [amazed]
\ 'Tis her uncle!

/ Goro [annoyed at the Bonze's arrival]
| A plague on this intruder!
| What on earth brought him hither
| of all troublesome people?...
| The Bonze [approaching]
\ Cho-cho-san! Cho-cho-san!
Goro [signs to the servants to take away the tables, stools and cushions; and then prudently retires, grumbling furiously]

The Bonze [coming nearer]
Cho-cho-san!
[In the background appears the odd figure of the Bonze, who comes forward in a rage]
Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze [at the sight of Butterfly, who stands isolated from the rest, the Bonze stretches out his hands threateningly towards her]
What were
you doing at the Mission?

Chorus and the Cousin (ST)
Give answer, Cho-cho-san!

Pinkerton [angry at the scene made by the Bonze]
What's that lunatic shrieking?

The Bonze
Give answer, what were you doing?

Friends and relations (ST) [anxiously, turning to Butterfly]
Give answer, Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze
How then, don't you even falter?
Are these the fruits of evil?
[shouting]
She has renounced us all!

Chorus (SATT) [scandalized, shouting long and loud]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze
She's renounced, let me tell you,
her true religion

Chorus (ST) [shouting]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

Chorus (ST)
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze
In everlasting torment
may your wicked soul perish!

Pinkerton [has lost patience, and intervenes between the Bonze and Butterfly]
Be silent now, d'you hear me!

The Bonze [at the sound of Pinkerton's voice the Bonze stops short in amazement, then with a sudden resolve he invites relations and friends to come away]
Come with me all we'll leave her!
[to Butterfly]
You have renounced us all

[all retire hastily to the back and stretch their arms towards Butterfly]

Yakusidé and The Bonze, Chorus and Cousin (ST)
And we renounce you!

Pinkerton [authoritatively ordering all to depart]
Leave the place on the instant. Here I am master.
I'll have no turmoil and no disturbance here.

Chorus (ST) [shout]
Hou!

[at Pinkerton's words, they all rush hastily towards the path which leads down to the town: Butterfly's mother again tries to approach her, but is dragged away by the others]

Chorus (ST) [as they go out]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!
[rather far off]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

[By degrees the voices grow faint in the distance. Butterfly remains motionless and silent, her face buried in her hands, whilst Pinkerton has gone to the top of the path, to make sure that all these troublesome guests have really gone]

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
Kami sarundasico!

Chorus (S)
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (T)
We all renounce you!

Chorus (S) [emphatically]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

The Bonze, Yakusidé, Chorus (ST) [emphatically]
We all renounce you!

Chorus (ST)
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

[evening begins to close in]

Chorus (S) [very far off]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

[Butterfly burst into childish tears. Pinkerton hears her and anxiously hastens to her side, supporting her in her fainting condition and tenderly taking her hands from her tearful face]

Pinkerton
Dearest, my dearest, weep no more.
Let the frogs croak their loudest.

Chorus (S) [very far away]
Hou! Cho-cho-san!

Butterfly [holding her ears, so as not to hear the shouts]
Hark how they yell!

Pinkerton [cheering her]
All your respected tribe
and all the Bonzes in Japan
are not worth a tear
from those dear little almond eyes of yours.

Butterfly [smiling with childlike pleasure]
Indeed?
[evening begins to fall]
I'll weep no more.
And now I'm scarcely grieved at their desertion.
So sweet are your words of comfort,
Which fall like gentle balm on my heart.
[stoops to kiss Pinkerton's hand]

Pinkerton [gently stopping her]
What's this? my hand?

Butterfly
They tell me
that abroad, where the people are more cultured,
this is a token of the highest honour.

Suzuki [within] [murmuring]
And Izaghi and Izanami
sarundasico, and Kami
and Izaghi and Izanami
sarundasico, and Kami.

Pinkerton [wondering at the subdued murmurs]
Who's murmuring in there?

Butterfly
'Tis Suzuki who offers up
her evening pray'r.

[Evening draws in more and more and Pinkerton leads Butterfly towards the house]

Pinkerton
Evening is falling

Butterfly
With shadows and quiet.

Pinkerton
You're here alone.

Butterfly
Alone and renouncèd!
They've renounc'd me, and yet I'm happy!

Pinkerton [Pinkerton claps his hands thrice: the servants and Suzuki hasten in and Pinkerton orders:]
Come hither, the shosi.

[the servants silently slide along several partitions]

Butterfly [with deep feeling to Pinkerton]
Yes, we are all alone
The world is yonder.

Pinkerton [laughing]
And your uncle breathing thunder!
[sits down and takes a cigarette]

Butterfly [to Suzuki, who has come in with the servants is awaiting orders]
Suzuki, bring my garments.

[Suzuki rummages in a trunk and gives Butterfly her night attire and a small box with toilet-requirements.]

Suzuki [bowing low to Pinkerton]
Goodnight, Sir.

[Pinkerton claps his hands, the servants run away].

Butterfly
[retires to a corner at the back, and assisted by Suzuki, carefully performs her toilet for the night, exchanging her wedding-garment for one of pure white; then she sits down on a cushion and looking in a small hand-mirror arranges her hair. Suzuki goes out]
I long to be rid
of this ponderous obi,...
/ A bride must be robed
| in a garment of white.
| He's peeping and smiling,
| conceal'd by the lattice,
| Oh, could I but vanish,
| my blushes to hide!
| Pinkerton [lounging on the wicker chair, watches Butterfly]
| Just like a little squirrel
| are all her pretty movements!
| To think that pretty plaything
| is my wife! My wife!
| [smiling] But her charm
\ is so alluring,
/ My heart
| is beating madly
| with passionate longing!
| [rising, gradually draws closer to Butterfly]
| Butterfly
| I hear his angry voice
\ still shouting curses...
Butterfly they've renounced her,
They've renounced her, still she's happy.

Pinkerton [raises Butterfly gently, and goes out with her on the terrace]
Child, from whose eyes the witchery is shining,
now you are all my own.
You're clad all in lily white raiment.
How sweet are your tresses of brown
in your snowy garment.

Butterfly [goes down from the terrace, Pinkerton follows her]
I am like
the Moon's little Goddess,
the little Moon-Goddess who comes down by night
From her bridge in the star-lighted sky.

Pinkerton
Bewitching all mortals...

Butterfly
Then she takes them,
And she wraps them in mantle of white
And away she bears them, To realms high above.

Pinkerton
But dear one, as yet you have not told me,
Have not told me yet that you love me
D'you think that my Goddess
knows the sweet words I am yearning to hear?

Butterfly
She knows, but perhaps will not say them,
For fear she may die of her love,
for fear she may die of her love!

Pinkerton
Fear not, my dearest, for love does not mean dying,
rather living, And it
radiates happiness celestial.
[drawing close to Butterfly and taking her face in his hands]
I see it shine, as in your eyes, dearest, I'm gazing.
[Butterfly, with a sudden movement, withdraws herself from Pinkerton's ardent embrace]

Butterfly [reticently]
I used to think: if any one should want me...
[stops short]

Pinkerton
Why do you falter?

Butterfly [resuming, simply]
I used to think: if any one should want me
Then perhaps for a time I might have married
'Twas then that the Nakodo
Came to me with your marriage offer
But, the truth I must confess:
At the beginning, all he said was useless.
A stranger from America!
a foreigner! a barbarian!
Forgive me, I did not know...

Pinkerton [encouraging her to go on]
My gentle darling! and then?
Continue...

Butterfly
But now, belovèd
You are the world, more than the world to me.
Indeed I liked you the very first moment
That I saw you.

[Butterfly has a sudden panic and puts her hands to her ears, as though she still heard her relatives shouting; then she rallies and once more turns confidingly to Pinkerton.]

You're so strong,
so handsome! Your laugh
is so open and so hearty!
The things you say are so fascinating.
Now I am happy.
Yes, I am happy.

[Night has closed in completely; the sky is unclouded and closely strewn with stars]

Butterfly [slowly drawing nearer to Pinkerton] [tenderly, almost beseechingly]
Ah, love me a little,
oh, just a very little,
As you would love a baby
'Tis all that I ask for.
Ah, love me a little
I come of a people
accustomed to little;
Grateful for love that's silent;
Light as a blossom
And yet everlasting
As the sky, as the fathomless ocean.

Pinkerton
Give me your darling hands that I may kiss them
[bursts out very tenderly]
My Butterfly! aptly your name was chosen,
Gossamer creation...
[at these words Butterfly's face clouds over and she withdraws her hands]

Butterfly
They say that in your country
If a butterfly
[with an expression of fear]
is caught by man,
He'll pierce its heart with a needle,
[with anguish] And then leave it to perish!

Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling]
Some truth there is in that,
And can you tell me why?
That you may not escape.
[with ardour and embracing her affectionately]
See, I have caught you...
I hold you as you flutter.
Be mine.

Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms]
Yes, yours forever.

Pinkerton
Come, then, come then...
[Butterfly draws back, as though ashamed of having been too bold]
Love, what fear holds you trembling.
Have done with all misgivings.
[points to the starlit sky]
The night doth enfold us!
See the world lies sleeping!

Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured]
Ah! Night of rapture!

Pinkerton
Come then, come then.

Butterfly
Stars unending!
/ Never have I seen such glory!
| Pinkerton
\ The night doth enfold us!
Ah! hasten, hasten!
The night enfolds us!..
See the world lies sleeping!

Butterfly
Night of rapture! Stars unending!
Pinkerton
Hasten, hasten!
Butterfly
Never have I seen such glory!
Pinkerton
Hasten, hasten!
Butterfly
Throbbing, sparkling, each star in heaven,
Pinkerton
Come, my dearest!
Butterfly
like a fiery eye is flashing. Oh!
/ Oh! how kindly are the heavens,
| Ev'ry star that shines afar!
| Is gazing on us, lighting our future for us...
| Pinkerton [with amorous desire]
| Cast all fear from out your heart!
| Close to my heart I hold you.
| You're mine now,
| ah! come, come you are mine now
| Ah! come then, see the
\ whole world lies a-sleeping!..
Close to my heart I hold you,
come!

[They go up from the garden into the house].

The curtain falls.

End of Act I.

Act II
- Part 1
- Part 2

Main pages: [ Libretto | Opera | Composer | OperaGlass]

2 Apr 2009