Madama Butterfly

I went to see Puccinis Madama Butterfly in San Jose Opera. The opera building is beautiful and cozy, it is definitely easier to go compared to SF. I have not seen the opera before and only vaguely knew the plot, but it was quite a emotional rollercoaster in 3 acts playing over 3 hours.

Act 1.

A american officer Pinkerton gets a 18 (originally 15) year old Japanese wife, Cio-Cio San while stationed in Nagasaki. He intends for it to be a fling before he finds a proper wife in America She is in love with him (and excited to be American) and converts to Christianity and is renounced by her entire family for it.

I felt super uncomfortable with the age gap, the the power dynamics and had to accept it is more OK 150 years ago than now and it is supposed to be a opera about betrayal. I thought Pinkerton is a singing passport bro)

Act 2.

3 years later, Cio-Cio San has a 2 year old boy and still waits for Pinkerton to come. She is struggling financially but is confident (delulu) about their love and his devotion. It ends with Pinkertons ship arriving in port.

Act 3.

Pinkerton arrives with his new wife and he learned about his son. He asks the servant to talk to Cio-Cio San to give them her son to have a better life. He absolutely chickens out and does not see her in Act 3, because he is guilty. He even leaves his wife with the servant while he runs outside. I found that comical, because what kind of wife would deal with this cowardice?

Cio-Cio San agrees to hand off her son, but tells Pinkerton (via his wife) to come pick up his kid himself. She kills herself before he arrives so they do not talk at all after act 1. Is this a act of passion, act of honor, act of motherly sacrifice or act of petty revenge? I am not sure. I am uncomfortable.

The music was awesome though.