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View the photos from the COC's 2003 production of Madama Butterfly.
Sharpless, the U.S. Consul warns Pinkerton that Butterfly’s love for the American lieutenant is sincere. Pinkerton takes his forthcoming marriage less seriously and proposes a toast to the day when he will marry a “real American wife.”
On their wedding night, Butterfly pledges she will love Pinkerton for the rest of her life and he attempts to calm her fears about the future.
Three years have passed since Pinkerton left Nagasaki. Butterfly is convinced he will return, singing of the day she will see his white ship enter the harbour.
Sharpless has come to tell Butterfly that Pinkerton will not be returning. She is adamant he will not abandon her, especially once he learns of the child she has borne him.
Having learned of the existence of his child, Pinkerton returns to Japan with his new American wife in order to take the boy back to the United States. Butterfly sings a heartbreaking farewell to her child before killing herself.
Excerpts from Decca's Madama Butterfly, featuring Herbert von Karajan, conductor, with Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti. Order this CD from the Opera Shop today.
Enjoy highlights and experience the stories of the operas we are presenting this coming spring, in COC music podcasts with the COC's Gianna Wichelow and Gianmarco Segato.
Visit getmusic.ca to listen now!
Special Support
This production was originally made possible through a generous gift from John A. Cook
Generously Underwritten in Part by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation
Make a night of your visit to the opera.
How to find the Four Seasons Centre.
Watch Adina Nitescu sing Un bel di, from the COC's 2009 production.