Puccini (1953) - full transcript

Subtitles by Nostromo

I saw you trying to slip by me

Good morning

Very pleased to see you

I was afraid to disturb you so early

-But in little,no time..

-Why are you leaving me now?

What about the money I

laid up for renting the piano,eh?

Don't worry,it'll all be settled today

Can you hear we settle today?

When Signor Puccini's wins this

prize,his operas will be for distribution

For six months you've been

calling me with that same story

Then when we have the

contract will be leaving this pigsty

But you'll be happy clucking

with the other chickens

Musicians, I'll turn them

out him and his soprano

-Wait for me

-Come now,Cristina

I didn't know you were a fighter

When it is for Giacomo

Wait a minute you think it's certain

-I'm going to win it

-Oh of course you will

-Everybody I spoke to at the Opera says

-You're the only good one

-And I ought to know

-And the thing we celebrate,eh?

I propose a banquet tonight at Sardini

The Patron will never pay the pawnshop

Don't worry I'll have enough

to get your violin out

You return those ten liras to me now

Of course I will, money from the piano

money for the apartment and

the rest will be enough for celebration

Off we go friends,Milano is ours

And you,what would you ask of Giacomo?

Oh what do I think?

One day I asked if we might

visit Lake Como but he forgot about it

Where's the coffee? Today is a big day

Here's the prize winner

Give him something extra-special

Wasn't Giacomo to have waited there

until the prize winner was named?

Here he is

I think we'd better go outside

Come on, come on ,come

Hurry,hurry they seem they are

posting the names

What do you feel like Giacomo

I've been thinking of the

new life that's ahead of me

Everything that went before in the past

Oh,I'm so happy but I'm afraid

Why afraid?

You keep remembering her

What do you know about her?

I can't understand it

And yet Giacomo's

music is certainly finer

Also with your libretto

but that's unimportant,Fontana

People like us never have a chance in ten

years I never won one single contest

But I was so sure

I was with him every minute

he was working on that opera

I'll find someone for one sure

Please,don't give up hope,Christina

-Tonight there's a ball at the De Carlo

-Yes

Try and convince him to be there and

I'll get invitations for all of us

All right we're wasting

time until tonight then

And you're Maestro Puccini?

Yes,that's right

Puccini, our young Fontana

has spoken to me of your case

Very interesting,of course,

my dear young fellow

As for the verdict you know better than I

These judgments are beyond appeal

The regulations beyond question

I'm very curious, Signor Puccini

How does it come to you,your inspiration?

Are you trying to make a fool of me,Sir?

Oh,but not at all

That's a legitimate question,

if you're really an artist

Very well, it's probably too personal

But I smoke more than is good for me

Pity you didn't submit that with your opera

For the Commission would have been

pleased to donate a carton of cigarettes

Be careful about whom you're joking

-We may be in the house of a countess

-But don't start Giacomo

-Leave me alone

-Calm yourself he was only making a joke

I won't permit jokes for eight months

of work 10 years of hoping and lost

Maybe it's funny for you

but it's not for me

My friend said that some of

you might be able to help me

But all you can do is look

down your noses and laugh

because of my rented suit I am a clown

Yes,my poverty is funny

to you isn't it,Countess?

I don't belong here do I?

It's funny isn't it?

And for that reason my

music isn't worth anything

I'll show you

Here is my music

I'm sorry I had no idea

Quiet,just a moment,a moment

If the opinion of our Arrigo Boito

is worth anything today

I want the Commission to be made aware

of what it is overlooked

I beg you for your support

because this opera should be presented

Wait a moment,Cristina

where are you going?

Tonight we all celebrate

No,no it's better if I go

Giacomo won't miss my not coming

It's a month that he's been avoiding us

But you know how he forgets everything

when he's concentrating on his music

The Opera had to be rehearsed

and perfected,come back please

No,no I'm sure that he

too prefer it like this

Tomorrow I leave for Bergamo

I have a small engagement there

But no, wanting to go away like

this without even seeing him

I'll write him a letter

Goodbye Gianni

You're the only one who ever

worried about me,thank you

Yes 15 now

Well,Sir,do you want to keep on going?

Yes,drive to the corner and back again

"Ever been it,back and forth,

up and down",I understand

Keep moving

Stop it,stop

Say,say,did they seem

like they were hissing in there?

What's that?

No,that was the train the 1048 you

just relax about your music now

Don't all new composers ride

with me because I bring you luck

That Giuseppe Verdi,you know

He was even more nervous than

you were for his first performance

Giacomo

Fontana,here,what is it?

Hurry up the audience is

nearest going wild

How much do I owe you?

What's the hurry? You got

plenty of time to pay

Quick,the Ricordi publisher

wants to see you

Dearest Giacomo

When you read this letter I shall be far

away from Milan and all that meant to us

I had hoped one day

I would share your success

just as I shared your

hardships and struggles

But tonight there's a new

road opening for you

There is no place left in your life for me

When you dreamt of a success

it was always with her in mind

So your first step will be

to your home in Lucca

And to her I wish you well

Always

Lucca

Hurrah for Puccini

There he is now

God help us,Puccini came home at last

Good to see you again

He means Giocondo

Hope it means they

won't start any fighting

Like they used to

Hey,hey

I wish you were happy to see me

Ah? Do you expect me to bring

a band down to the station?

Listen,I'd better have a word with you

No thanks,leave me in peace

Wait,Giocondo,what about Elvira?

What's happened to her?

You're the only one able to tell me

-Giuseppe put the empty ones up there

-Yeah

Why haven't I heard anything?

Her last letter was five months ago

He,you mean you really want to give

me a chance to get a little satisfaction

I've got some sad news for you

You know how it was

I loved her but she loved you

Every time we fought over,

you always beat me up

No,come on

Three years ago when you

went away I told myself

Giocondo, Elvira is certainly

never going to marry you for love

Maybe I might be able

to influence her father

-He'd want a rich son-in-law

-And so

I began to work like a dog

And then

It paid off all right

So I bought myself some fancy clothes

The usual bunch of flowers

-And I went over to

-Her father?-Yeah

And he accepted you?

Of her marrying you?

No,the old fellow threw me out of the house

He's found a Count for her,

an old Count with 75,000 acres of land

The ceremony will be held tomorrow

I hope she's forgotten you

If not,I guess it'd be

better if she married you

For me it's the same but at

least she'd be content

Thanks

-Elvira,

-I've been waiting

For you to come back

To pass this way

You expected me?

For a long time

You're still as beautiful

And you,you haven't changed at all

Have you?

Just a bit

That's why I came back

Now I find everyone else

has changed much more than I

Come here

Why did you stop writing to me?

I felt that you had gone into a new life

A strange life

The most famous people and artists

-I was sure you'd forget me

-Never

Elvira,believe me all that time

There wasn't a moment I didn't love you

What shall we do,Giacomo

We'll be far away from your father

no one will be able to separate us

But tomorrow

I gave my promise

He forced you,it's not valid Elvira

because you made me a promise before

I remember it with all of my heart

Elvira,I left two years of

my life on that one promise

But winning my battle

for a career isn't enough

-I want you

-But how?

What shall I tell my father?

How will he think about it?

It'd be much better if you

thought of your own feelings

You pick the man you must marry,Elvira

I can't live without you Giacomo

I'm desperate

-Help me

-Oh my dear,my dear come away with me now

Yes,yes

We'll be happy won't we?

Of course

I'll care for you all of my life

My father did wrong,wrong

We'll be true to each other

And good,we will be happy

Yes,darling

As counsel for the present cooperation

The mandate of Giulio Ricordi president by

proxy is transferred to us

We unanimously agree first

We are contract with Giacomo

Puccini musician and all

the terms of the contract considering

the poor quality of the last production

of the author in question and

considering exorbitant the amounts of

monies paid monthly up to the present

This counsel now reject the opportunity

of renewing his contracts and payments

-Elvira

-Giocondo,stop for a moment please

Now what Signora you know

I don't get paid for waiting

Just a moment,please

I didn't know you were in Milano

I've all moved in,you see

Since when?

Ten days ago you may not believe it

But when you left Lucca especially since

I was never able to see you on Sundays

Do you think badly of me?

Oh,what a thing to say

I said, if she'd have eloped

with me,I'd have justified it so

And the others?

The others are unimportant

Have you,have you seen my father?

Sure every Saturday at the

market of piazza San Michele

He keeps repeating he'll forgive you

Yes,on one condition,that I leave Giacomo

When he finds out you're

happy he'll bless you

Everybody back home feels

he should give his consent

So you and Giacomo just be patient

Of course,that's the only thing

Please let's go it's time

Just a moment I'm coming

You see,we are moving

Elvira,if you're having difficulties

-You still need Giocondo

-I know,thank you

But I have everything I need

Really,there's nothing

Listen lady,I'm getting pneumonia

Will you come and visit

us Via Salcerina 73?

Yes

Giacomo

-Hello

-Hello

Haven't you anything to say?

It's a castle

I thought I could make a

curtain out of the summer spares(?)

And I was thinking

Where's the piano?

-The piano?

-Yes,the piano where is it?

You know I need it,

why didn't they bring it?

I tried to stop them,I begged them

-I promised

-You didn't renew the rental?

No

You haven't played for so long

And so you'd rather

I don't play the piano,eh?

Is that your purpose?

Make me a banker or something

or put me in business

I'm sure to become somebody then

Giacomo,I don't want you to give up

I want everything for you,the world

That's what you say but you don't mean it

Otherwise you would have

felt what I expected from you

Just a bit of encouragement

a spark for my work

Elvira,I beg you to help me

I understand that you want to

But to dispose of the piano

Better to have spent our last lira

Giacomo

I bought this

Forgive me

Who do you want?

Signor Ricordi,and this

time you can't put me off

Just a minute,you can't go in

there he's in conference now

-Signor Ricordi

-He forced his way right past me

It's all right,Valeri

Finally be able to talk with you

All these months past speaking only to

ushers,secretaries,vice presidents

But now you have to hear me

I finally found the story for me

I want to write an opera

from this here it is

But this one's been written by Massenet

What difference does it make Massenet

written one I'll write another

Manon

Well,Giacosa and Illica

seemed quite surprised at your strange idea

But why? Do they feel they're

unable to produce a libretto out of it?

For the moment we

don't see the use of it

We could never do it better

So then Raphael should have

stopped painting Madonnas

because there already were so many others

What can we do dear Puccini

In as much as your previous

works hardly been outstanding

-And the Council of Administration

-Yes I know

Your Council of Administrators

doesn't even think that my ability

is worth the 200 lira months

that they paid me

But then it was you who picked the libretto

I felt it was wrong all through the work

to be pretending to

make music like a parrot

But let's not be pretending but

I'm going to revoke a

decision of the Counsel

Merely because you have my sympathy

Signor Ricordi

There's someone suffering,a girl

about to have a baby

There's a limit to what she can take

I've even lost my piano

Too bad,I'm sorry let me study your case

Come back again in about two weeks

Don't bother

I've been told that before,come back

Oh what do you want here

Elvira said you were in

Milano now for over a month

I'm looking for Elvira

but I'd rather talk to you

Go on

I've already seen the furniture

Now I see this house you're doing alright

Listen why do you bother me

I can manage without your help

That's all very fine

-But how are you eating?

-There's plenty for me and for her

And if you don't start minding

your own business I'll break your head

Try it

Signor Puccini,Signor Puccini where

were you all afternoon?

I tried to find you they had to take

her to the hospital the poor little thing

-When?

-About 4

-Where?

-Via Ascenda

-How is she?

-Why don't you keep still

-How is she?

-The first one is never easy,you know

I think it's better you went to see her

Look here,I'll need money to get there

Here

-Would you save these please?

-Sure

-I brought them for the Signora

-Thank you

-Thank you

-Please

I'm so proud,darling,he looks like you

Just like you

Are you pleased that it's a boy?

Oh yes how do you feel about it,Elvira

I'm proud too

Giacomo

Do you think that now we'll begin

to understand each other better?

I don't want to hurt you any more

and I know that I have sometimes

Oh,no,Elvira we're going

to start again from now on

I need you with me

but I feel it's all going to be different

-We must be kinder to each other

-Of course

You are my life

to me and my music more than my music

-More?

-And better

Please don't be tiring her too much

-No

-Tomorrow I'll bring you flowers

And I'll be here every day

-Come on now lift it

-All right,hold now

Who's this for?

I don't know in there

-Come on

-Oh,yes

Your landlady gave me permission

to enter while you were out

They are bringing a piano in here?

It's for you,my dear Puccini

And I bring more Illica and Giacosa

are now at work on the libretto

Here is something that I hope to receive

together with music of high quality

And here is that opera Manon by Massenet

but only to remind you to go higher

If you want to win your battle and

yours must fill us more than this one does

Now here's a check for 800 Lira

But please my associates

know nothing of this,eh?

It's a secret for me and you

What's wrong? Hard to believe it?

Thank you

Thank you

Oh Signora,welcome home

Oh the baby,show me the baby

He is asleep you can see

him later it's too cold here

Oh yes,and I have a present for you

and I bring it when I come to see you

-You know if my husband is home

-I don't know

Giacomo

Giacomo

What is it?

Signora Puccini

All those men would drive you mad

All those men are just the same

And we make children stupid women are

Wait I'll be back

Signor Puccini

Signor Puccini

Now what do you think you're doing

Never mind about that your wife been

waiting outside for over an hour

Take your hands away from him

Elvira

We waited for you for ten days

Waited,waited, waited your son

And the mother of your son

Ten days

Forgive me ,Elvira, but I've

worked all these 10 days

And once the music comes into

my head I've got to finish it now

that I had a chance my

thoughts have been only on Manon

Manon? I hate Manon

There will be other Manons

and I'll hate them all

-Good morning

-Well good work

It appears for the first

time after many years

I'm putting on an opera

I've complete confidence in

-Sit down

-Thank you

And in order to thank

you I found a bonus for you

I prepared a big surprise

My feelings are beyond

words you'll understand

Cristina,a wonderful Manon

Good Morning,Maestro

It's a long time since we've met

-Cristina

-You mean you know each other?

Now who could imagine

it after all Cristina's

appeared abroad for quite some time

Now I can't even plan a

surprise for our maestro

But your surprise worked,dear Ricordi

Didn't it maestro?

Puccini must remember

me when I was different

I was only a little girl then

Isn't it true?

I feel I owe you a debt

of gratitude,Maestro

But most important was what I

learned about friendship through you

-Well,speak about Manon

-What do you think about it

It's a marvellous opera

Manon will be somewhere

wherever music is heard

They like my opera

Tonight I really feel that the public is with me

It's marvellous isn't it?

You're very handsome in that suit

-It fits

-Yes

I have to go backstage excuse me

Well don't go away please

don't leave me alone

It's easier if you stay here with me,please

But I'll meet you in the intermission

I'll be coming back here

-Bye

-Giacomo

-Well Ricordi

-Listen to them

We continue like this will be a triumph

Massenet written one,I'll write another

You remember

Perhaps the public thinks you're right

The director of the Opera in

Buenos Aires is already been to see me

He wants to option Manon for

presentation all through South America

We'll speak again during intermission

-Oh,you were adorable

-I've asked him tonight to Cernis(?)

Even his editors will turn up

Is he so irresistible that

he's escaped marriage?

Oh,no I've heard he's not quite married

There's supposed to be some little

girl from the country trying to get him

A young man does need to...

Please where can I find Maestro Puccini?

There in the dressing room

with Signora Bernini

Excuse me

Come on,we'd better be moving

Puccini,Puccini

We're all waiting to applaud you

I received your invitation

please let me thank you

And I'm honoured

And here is Vice Consul Omaro,

Countess Duc de Pravi

-How do you do

-And Duke of Olmo-How do you do

And I hope you and all people

expecting you breathlessly at home

-You and all of course

-Yes naturally

Excuse me

Elvira

I looked around everywhere for

you but I thought that you'd gone home

We've had a great success

Yes

Well,I'm invited to a celebration

with Ricordi at the Countess

I can't possibly refuse

And I know it would be very dull for you

So go back to the hotel and wait for me

and order us a bottle or two

and I won't be very long

Shall I take you back?

You mustn't keep them waiting Giacomo

-It's only a few steps to the hotel

-I'll see you later then

How does it feel,you waking

up to such a sensational success?

So good I'm buying a house near a lake

-Signor Fanelli

-Oh

You may go home now

I know it's you and not Giacomo

Excuse me,Signora Elvira,Giacomo

Giacomo has gone hunting and he told me

He didn't want you to be worried

You don't have to be concerned about me

-Yes,but he told me..

-You'd better go home,Signor Fanelli

Yes, yes it's better

But look

I want you to know

Giacomo has gone out hunting

Giacomo

What are you doing here?

She has discovered that it

was only me at the piano

-I don't play well enough

-What did you say?

-That you were out hunting

-And so?

She knows exactly what

kind of game you're out hunting

Why? What did she say?

Nothing in particular

but there was a funny look in

her eyes when she told me to go home

Giacomo I know women and

I want you to listen to me

That woman knows everything about you two

Cristina,Cristina

Cristina

Christina where are you going?

Where I'm no trouble

Wait a minute can't you understand?

Elvira knows all about us

Oh she does eh?

What's that supposed to mean to me?

What is the difference

between us once and for all?

Why must I always be the one who

has to put up with this humiliation

Having to sneak around in

the dark like a common criminal

It's unjust to speak that way Cristina

Unjust?

Anything is unjust to

you when it touches her

Bear in mind that when it

comes to Elvira we're both at fault

I see

And so that's the difference is it?

I'm the one to blame

for it and she's the victim

You feel that you can judge us

I'm sorry,Giacomo

but when you speak to me like that

I feel and still what I was to you

so many years ago

A second choice

And I don't feel I can go

on that way any longer

Cristina

-Giacomo

-What is it?

The wind is rising hurry up

Alright alright the lady

will be right there

Addio

-I'll meet you again in Torino

-Yes

We'll begin work on Boheme

Elvira,I'm sorry

I know you

can't forgive me now

Sorry

You're always sorry

Do you want me to give you up?

No,Elvira

No I won't,never

I beg you listen

Maybe I should

It would mean less suffering

After a while

But I will never leave you

Not for my sake but for yours

You don't know what you're doing

You're destroying everything

Your career,us

But you don't know it now

But someday you will

You will

I want only happiness for you

Then how can you see me in so much pain

Please forgive me

Forgive,always forgive

Elvira I love you

You can't leave me

Ever

Close your eyes

There

Now open them

Well now,don't you like it?

What's wrong?

Nothing perhaps I was thinking of the day

You were going to take

me to visit to Lake Como

This has cost you a bit more

Then I hope it pleases you a bit more

Too bad it does

What do you mean?

Nothing never mind

Sometimes I wonder

how it all turned out this way

Very lovely

But why am I so honoured?

I don't know

Maybe,maybe it's because you're

much more unselfish than I am

I'm glad you realized it

I know quite well you're

no longer happy with me

Oh no I'm just different

It's you that won't allow me to be happy

Or maybe,maybe I'm unable

to accept this situation

What are you trying to say?

You have to make up your mind

I have no use for a man divided in two

even if his name is Giacomo Puccini

Anna

Anna

Hurry up

Bring me the costume

I may be wrong,Giacomo

But I feel we must arrive

at a decision once and for all

All right if you really have to

But why tonight the premiere of Boheme?

Of our opera

Because it's tonight of all nights

that you'll be able to make your choice

It's really very simple

I who am singing the music you created

Or the other one

Who's not even here to

offer you a bit of comfort

In case you're not a success tonight

You ought to know better

than anyone why she isn't here

Listen to me

Whatever you may say to justify her

It won't change matters

You have to make your choice

It's me or that little provincial

whom you can't even take anywhere

without being embarrassed

We have too much in common

No woman can replace the Opera

She may be a provincial

But I can't help thinking

That little girl never said

anything like that about you

She's not as honest

Perhaps Elvira is generous

She's perfect I suppose

Well remember that when you decide

Because tonight you have to choose

It's me or her

What's the matter?

Is it your conscience?

You're afraid she'll suffer?

But wouldn't she suffer even more

If you choose to stay with her

because you know as well as I do

You'd spend the rest of your life searching

desperately for some Cristina or other

Who could understand you

and help you

Ten minutes,please

Coming

Be strong

Hello,hello,excuse me

Will I be indiscreet if

I asked where you were going?

To Elvira

-Oh well all right

-Just a moment

How do you mean that all right

Nothing I know that she

was up in a box alone

So I was thinking

Well,Elvira's concerns

you think too much my friend

And you not enough

What do you mean by that?

Well answer me

I'm not answering I'm asking

Why don't you marry her

I'll tell you why

Because this way is more convenient

You never know maybe one day

You might want to get rid of her

And leaving a wife is more complicated

You know

I'd prefer to let you go on doing

whatever you want

But this is wrong

It's sordid

Disgusting

So

I finally got it all out

And I've waited so long to say it

And now I'm going back to the

theatre cause you're a mangy dog

I'm fed up with you

But your music is magnificent

-Good luck

-Thanks

Giacomo

-When did you arrive?

-Just now

Look like our old attic

-The baby has a little cold

-Has he fever?

No he says it will go away

when you come home

-Did he really say that?

-Yes

When I come home

He sent you this for your birthday

Excuse me Elvira I have to go

See you then at the hotel?

Yes

Giacomo,vieni

You go out,go ahead

Giacomo

Cristina come

My dear Countess

But you're not to fly away

You've not forgotten that

tonight you will be at supper with us

-No,no , naturally

-Oh you frightened me

Excuse me I'll be right back

Oh I never let them out of my sight

Elvira

Elvira,come

There are some of my

friends I want you to meet

Come

Maestro,maestro I found you

Countess,at last

I have the pleasure of presenting my wife

Oh,how nice

She's most delighted

to accept your invitation

And so am I

-Aren't we?

-Oh,yes

Shall I put out your evening dress,Madame?

Tonight I won't need it

Now we are near our simple street(?)

I won't leave you any more

Not for a minute

I mean it

I believe you Giacomo

I believe you

Mama,when papa comes home again

couldn't he stay with us a long time?

A long time ago I told

you I would never leave you

Do you remember?

I loved you and I thought I had

the strength to stay with you

In spite of all the heartaches

But now so many things have changed

Only you never change

I'm tired Giacomo

And without hope for us any more

How much you meant to me

And how little I ever meant to you

I know that I'm in your way

And even to write the word

hurts more you could ever believe

You want to be free

Perhaps you were born to be free

And now at last I wish

to give you your freedom

Especially freedom from sending

me picture postcards and rag dolls

without life or love

So when you come back I'll be gone

Tonio is now grown up

You will be proud of him

Goodbye Giacomo

If it's bitterness that gives

me the courage to do this

I am grateful to it

Perhaps I no longer love you

And even if it is an illusion

I am grateful to that too

Goodbye

-Tonio

-Father- How are you?

You've grown up to be

a man let me look at you

And tell me how do you find school here?

Fine father, fine

In New York my agents

took up a lot of time in the

negotiations for the rights to Butterfly

You know they're not quite as

fast as here in Milan about these things

But now before we talk of anything else

I brought you that watch I promised you

Here with all my best

Thank you Father

Tonio

Where is your mother?

I don't know father

Tonio

It's very important that I speak with her

We must have her with us

She must come back

It's better if mama doesn't come back

But why?

Because

She was too unhappy at home

But the other day

When she came to see me

It seemed that at last she found peace

Father

It's better if you don't look for her

I'll write you about her

My mind's made up

I'm going to the country

I don't intend composing another note

I couldn't even if I wanted to

-But Butterfly?

-And Butterfly

Butterfly

Here is the libretto as we have found it

And we rewrote the end

just the way you wanted it

She blindfolds the baby before her suicide

We rewrote it to fit your music

Now it goes perfectly

with what you had in mind

Before you left for America

They worked so,and the fragments I've heard

About the very best,supreme

Well there's my car

I'll have to be going now I'm afraid

I'm quite sure there's no other way

It's better if I'm all alone

Maybe if I feel different somewhere

Pardon me Giulio

you've been a friend to me

We'll see we'll see what

I find in the country

Good luck to you Giacomo

Please be careful driving that car

Now who's that?

Good morning maestro

This is Delia the doctor

sent her to look after you

Her for the way you smashed

yourself up in that car

You'll need someone to take care of you

Maestro to begin the morning right the

doctor said I should take your temperature

To begin the morning right

We just need some

good strong coffee that's all

It's ready for you

Well did you think it over

Will you write to Elvira?

No

I told you I won't

have Elvira come here out of pity

Just because I had an accident

Most women come back anyway

even if you don't want them

Enough

I once heard of a woman

because a man wouldn't take her back

She was so hurt,ping ping, she murdered him

I'll tell you Elvira won't return

Thermometer maestro

Delia,you can't take his

temperature while he's eating

Later

What are you doing?

What are you hiding there?

Let's see come on

Madame Butterfly where did you find it?

I found it one day while I

was putting the room in order

I never meant to do it any harm

I didn't say you harmed it

Did you read it?

-Mm-hmm

-All through?

Yes many times

The story is so beautiful

Oh is it?

And what's it about?

Sit down

Well go on

It's the story of a young woman

And the wonderful man she fell in love with

And she would say please love me

But love me in a small

way small as a baby's love

As simple as my heart

Dear Giulio,I've been meaning

to write and tell you

that I've taken up the

music for Butterfly again

My life is full of enthusiasm

and work,work,work

Who's there?

-Delia is it you?

-Yes I'm right here,Maestro

Oh good come in and take this

Tomorrow morning please post this letter

And don't forget it huh?

Oh Delia it's almost eleven

Why didn't you go earlier?

Your father will be worried

My father had to go to America he

couldn't find work around here any more

As a boatman on the lake

And so you live alone?

Alone and far away seven

miles each morning and night

I don't mind but when it

rains the roof leaks

My dear foolish girl you can't go

out in this weather

You might have told me before

You know there's plenty of room upstairs

You don't mind my staying here?

Of course not

Oh many thanks

-Signor Puccini

-Who's there?

I'm Delia's father

But aren't you in America?

In America? Of course not

We're down there less than

two miles found a piece of land

It's better than nothing

Oh oh I see

Well go in go in

So you quit the sea and became a farmer

A man has to live

So you keep busy

Like most men do this year will go better

Well that's good

So you'll be able to finish

repairing the roof on your house

And you won't be getting wetter

Getting wet? I guess

you're joking Signor Puccini

Sir,I worry about Delia

I don't want to cause any fuss yet

-Yet it's strange

-Sit down

It's two weeks since

she left us to stay here

And it does look bad

It would be different if Signora

Elvira was in the house

I quite understand

Well,we'll send Delia home tonight

I'm very sorry Signor Puccini

my girl can return to work

Whenever the Signora finds use for her

All my respect,Sir

Papa

What is it you said?

What did you say to him?

Delia

If he sends me away because

of you I swear you'll be sorry

Delia

So your father's in America eh?

And the roof leaks

Oh tonight you go back home

Come now

Stop crying

Don't you think I may have understood

Why you told me all those little lies

It may seem cruel but it's

the only sensible thing

Look at me

Do you know how old I am?

I have a son almost as old as you

I know we suffer a lot about these things

There are so many fine young boys around

will be wanting to marry you

You'll see it passes

You have to leave

You do understand?

Delia,go

Let me stay here,please,I'm

only happy when I near you

Delia

Delia

In the morning when I'm back I

don't want to find you here,understand?

Good evening

What are you all looking at

you've seen me before haven't you?

It's nothing nothing

You just got it the face

A face of a man who wants to play cards

Now move over let me have some wine

You see everybody knew

you couldn't stay away for long,Giacomo

Who deals the cards?

Gino

There's been an accident

Come here

Help,help

Keep them searching

keep them looking anywhere Fanelli

Yes those men will go

on looking all night for her

Now Giacomo,don't blame yourself so

After all it was a very sad

accident but we mustn't

What accident? What accident?

How can you say it was an accident

And we weren't even able to bury her

That's enough out of you don't laugh

This is not a comedy here

The people will not

accept Madame Butterfly

And the fault is mine

Mine alone you see

Because everything a

man is becomes his music

Giacomo the public must

one day come to the realization

that they've made an error

I am more than honoured

to have been the one to bring

Madame Butterfly to the stage

Be sure and print that

for your readers Gino

Of course,Sir

-Maestro Puccini

-Impossible to see Maestro Puccini just now

But I have to speak to Maestro Puccini

A few minutes,Giocondo,

he knows me and I felt it was better

If someone stays with him a moment

-Giacomo

-Let's get out of here

Giacomo

Giacomo,come on,it won't be long

If it had lasted any

longer I would be a sleep

Oh,boy, sentimental

They'll never give it again

Embarrassing to have to watch

I don't know anything so..

A little bit of Manon a drop of la Boheme

And he thinks he has a new opera

Perhaps he'll turn up with

something better next time

-(Next time?Puccini is finished)

-And they're right,Giocondo

I know that I am finished

Let's go now,let's go home

I'll fix the light,eh

Please

Now listen

Elvira,Elvira you've come back

Yes

I thought I could stay away

But I couldn't I was at the Opera

I had to see you

Like something happened to me

Your music was so beautiful

I knew it was beautiful

because of something

In you

Something

And nothing to do with me

or us

Only you

and I forgot everything

mean or unhappy between us

I just listened

and I was proud

So proud of you

And it was you who applauded?

Yes,it was me

I love you Giacomo

I never stopped loving you

I don't know why but

I feel it so deeply

without each other

without each other we are lost

We have had the pleasure to present

selected audience from the pages of

Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini

to commemorate the 20th

anniversary of its first performance

My friends if I were alone

I'd speak to the walls

to the photographs

to the years that went so quickly

I beg you don't misunderstand me

I would like to say

Thank you to whom

I don't know

to all of you

and to music which has

always been very good to me

to the orchestra

to the public

and to all the many pianos I've had

And the first simple tune I played

to my fine Tonio I feel so

proud he's here for this occasion

I'd also thank the men

who understood

Ricordi

The premiere tomorrow but he'd say

Giacomo,the new music in the second act

It's better than the finale

and to all the old friends

who aren't with us

I say thanks

and to the new ones

You young people who'll

help me write Turandot

I wanted it to be the best one

and I feel it can be the best one

For you Elvira I thank God each

day for all you've done for me

and for your love

because you see

I know now

You said I'd find it out

I'd be a failure without you

I'd have done nothing

I'd have meant nothing

No,no don't think I'm sad today

I'm happy there's every reason to rejoice

So let's drink a toast

We've been listening for

20 years to Butterfly

And now we're still listening to it

My friends I drink in the hope

of our being around

this table 20 years from now

listening to Turandot

Elvira where are you going?

I'll be right back

I forgot to tell Anna something

-Good Luck

-Good Luck

Mama what is it? What's happened

here since I've been away?

Tonio your

Yes,mama

-Your father

-What?

-He's sick

-Badly?

Here it is Tonio

He doesn't know he mustn't know

-The doctor said

-What?

There's no hope none

Now boys I didn't want you to know

But you have to help me

It's best to finish as speedily as possible

Because there isn't much more time

And what's in here

Won't wait for any of us

Good night

Mama

Your father is still working

Perhaps he'll get sleepy

Listen mama you're

not able to continue this

-You have to get rest

-No,no

You can't be sitting up

every night come along

-Come

-I'm alright

Now I'll take care of him

But you sleep well

don't worry he'll be fine

You're a sweet boy

Antonio a good son

And a brave one

Your father is so proud of you

Try to sleep a little while

There father

Better start obeying the doctor

We'll go to that clinic in Brussels

and arrange things for the operation

You know Antonio

Yes

-And your mama knows

-No the doctor told only

me but if you refuse

to stop this I'll tell her

I have to finish Turandot

But you're almost finished father

When you feel better you'll be able to

Listen

I'll go with you

but you have to promise me

that you won't say anything

to your mama

No

I don't want her to suffer any more for me

Here the opera ends because

of the death of the Maestro

Subtitles by Nostromo