Opera: Madame Butterfly

.:.Prompt.:.

Giacomo Puccini: four arias from the opera Madame Butterfly“Dovunque al mondo”
“Ancor un passo or via.”
“Un bel dì vedremo”
“Addio fiorito” (suicide aria)
The Italian and English texts are in the Course Pack. Read the background story of the opera and listen to the arias (E-study).
    BLOG:  Based on the texts of these arias, what do you think of the character of Pinkerton? Of Butterfly? Of Sharpless? Of Goro? What might this opera tell us about the United States’ attitude (and that of Western cultures in general) toward Eastern cultures during the early 19th century? Include images of at least two opera posters for Madame Butterfly.

.:.Blog.:.

          Madame Butterfly has a lot to say about attitudes in general. Those of the characters and those of countries stick out the strongest in this opera. Characters like Goro and Sharpless offer us a stronger look on the main characters of Pinkerton and of Butterfly. Goro presents us with Butterfly and Sharpless presents us with Pinkerton. In the aria, Goro seems to be a smart man, knowing who to match with whom. He is seen bringing Butterfly to Pinkerton and being quiet friendly with high spirits. Sharpless, seeming to be Pinkerton's friend, is also in light moods at the beginning but as the aria goes on, he seems to be berating Pinkerton for his actions. Pinkerton, who was marrying Butterfly only for the enlightenment of the moment, is more of a backstabber than a true husband. He viewed the contract as just a way to taste the women in the country and not as a solid relationship like how Butterfly seen the relationship. Butterfly, even while her husband has gone off to America, stays loyal and brave even if she's sad at her husband not being there.
          All of these characters lead us to why Pinkerton viewed the Japanese women as he did. At that time, in the early 19th century, many countries viewed the Eastern cultures as outdated and too old for them, saying that their own countries were better and well managed. In the beginning, Pinkerton and Sharpless shows their enjoyment for their home country while looking down on the Japanese culture. The contract wasn't held to such a high standard to the two men as the Japanese men and women. We see this all with how Sharpless and Pinkerton act when together, how Pinkerton disregards his Japanese wife, and how Butterfly acts during Pinkerton's leave.

                               
                   1904 by Adolfo Hohenstein                                             Leopoldo Metlicovitz