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Act I

U. S. Navy Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from Goro, a marriage broker. Goro has procured for him three servants and a geisha wife, Cio- Cio San (known as Madama Butterfly). Sharpless, the American consul, arrives and is served whiskey as Pinkerton describes himself as roaming the world in search of pleasure. He is enchanted with Cio-Cio San and intends to go through a marriage ceremony with her. Sharpless warns that the young woman may not take her vows so lightly. Pinkerton suggests they drink to the day that he will marry a “real” American wife.

Cio-Cio San approaches with her friends, proclaiming that she is answering the call of love. She tells Pinkerton how she had to earn her living as a geisha and declares her intention to embrace his Christian faith. The Imperial Commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, after which the guests toast the couple. When Cio-Cio San’s uncle, the Bonze—a Buddhist priest—bursts upon the scene, he curses her for renouncing her ancestors’ religion. Pinkerton orders him and the rest of the family to leave.

Finally alone with Cio-Cio San, Pinkerton dries her tears. Helped by her maid Suzuki into a bridal kimono, Cio-Cio San joins Pinkerton in the moonlit garden.

Intermission

Act II

Three years after Pinkerton’s departure for America, Cio-Cio San still awaits his return. Suzuki informs Cio-Cio San that they will have no money left if Pinkerton takes much longer. Cio-Cio San urges Suzuki to have faith: one day the ship will arrive. Sharpless arrives with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Cio-Cio San, Goro brings in her latest suitor, Prince Yamadori. Cio-Cio San dismisses both Goro and Yamadori, insisting that her American husband has not abandoned her. 

When Sharpless reads Cio-Cio San the letter, he hints that Pinkerton may never return. Bringing in their child, Cio-Cio San declares that as soon as Pinkerton knows of his son, he will surely come back. If he does not, she could return to life as an impoverished entertainer, but she would prefer death. Promising to tell Pinkerton about his son, Sharpless leaves.

When Cio-Cio San is startled by the sound of a cannon, she observes Pinkerton’s ship entering the harbour. Ecstatic, she and Suzuki scatter flower petals everywhere. As night falls, she puts on her wedding kimono and awaits her husband’s return.

Act III

As dawn breaks, Suzuki insists that Cio- Cio San rest. She moves to another room and leaves with the child. Within moments Pinkerton arrives, accompanied by his new wife, Kate, along with Sharpless. Suzuki greets the men joyfully, but when she realizes who Kate is, she sadly agrees to help break the news to Cio-Cio San. Pinkerton bids an anguished farewell to the scene of his former happiness. No sooner has Pinkerton gone than Cio-Cio San appears, surprised to see Kate and Sharpless. Guessing the truth, she agrees to give up her child if Pinkerton will return for him in half an hour. Then, sending even Suzuki away, she takes out the dagger with which her own father committed suicide. As she prepares for the seppuku ritual, Suzuki pushes the child into the room. Cio-Cio San asks her son to look into her face so he can remember her. She dies as Pinkerton is heard calling her name.