Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season 2016/17: Madama Butterfly (2017) - full transcript
And ceiling and walls...
...slide back and forth...
...giving a different look
to the same space
Where's the bridal suite?
That's up to you
More sleight of hand!
- The living room?
- Here
Outside?
One panel glides...
I see
- And another...
- ...slides
The whole play-house...
Rock solid, from floor to ceiling
A house made of air
This is the maid,
who's already serving your bride
The cook, the house-boy
- They're a little overwhelmed
- Names?
Wisp of Cloud
Rising Sun
Scented Breeze
Is Your Honour smiling?
Ocunama said,
"Troubles fade at a smile"
A smile opens the gate to paradise
Perfume of the gods,
the fountain of life
Ocunama said,
"Troubles fade at a smile"
All over the world
women witter on like that
- What are you looking at?
- To see if the bride is on her way
- So everything's ready?
- Everything
What a perfect marriage broker!
We'll be joined by the Registrar,
the relatives...
...your consul, and the bride
You sign the contract
and then you're married
Are there lots of relatives?
Bride's mother, granny,
her uncle, the Bonze...
...who won't be deigning to attend
Between cousins and others...
...let's say two dozen
As for descendants...
...Your Honour
and lovely Butterfly will provide
What a perfect marriage broker!
Clambering in this heat,
out of breath, stumbling
The Consul's here
Those pebbles have finished me off
Welcome
Some refreshments, Goro
- It's high up
- But it's beautiful
Nagasaki, the sea, the harbour
And a little house
you conjure out of nothing
- Yours?
- I bought it for 999 years
But I can break the contract
any month
Here, houses and contracts
are equally flexible
- And the smart man takes advantage
- Sure
The carefree American
is all over the world...
...doing deals
and having a good time
He drops anchor wherever he lands up
A milk punch or a whisky?
He drops anchor wherever he lands up...
...until his ship is hit by a squall
He's not satisfied unless
he's acquired every treasure...
Quite a casual gospel
...and the love of every pretty girl
A casual gospel...
...that makes for an easy life
but leaves a sadness in your heart
If he takes a knock,
he picks himself back up again
His talents work wherever he goes
So I'm marrying Japanese-style
for 999 years
- With a monthly get-out
- Quite a casual gospel
America for ever!
Is the bride pretty?
A garland of fresh flowers,
a beam of golden starlight
And all for 100 yen
If you're interested,
I have a wide range...
Go and get her
What's got into you?
Are you so utterly in love?
I don't know.
It depends what type of love
I couldn't say
if it's love or an infatuation
But she's certainly
captivated me with her innocent ways
She's as delicate as a glass figurine
She looks like one
of those figures on a screen
Then suddenly she steps out
from that shiny lacquer background
Like a butterfly, she lands
with silent gracefulness
Then I have to pursue her...
...even if I damage her wings
She came to the Consulate the other day
I didn't see her, but I heard her speak
I was struck by the sound of her voice
She sounded like someone
truly in love
It would be a terrible thing
to tear off her wings...
...and maybe break a trusting heart
You're a kind man...
...but don't get carried away
People of your age
tend to take a bleak view
- Where's the harm...
- That timid little voice...
- ...in guiding her towards love?
- ...should never utter a sad word
- Whisky?
- Another glass
Here's to your family back home
And here's to the day
when I have a proper wedding...
...with a proper American bride
They've arrived at the top of the hill
I can hear their girlish chatter,
like rustling leaves
Boundless sky, boundless sea
One more step. Wait
The joyful breath of spring
wafts over land and sea
The happy chatter of youth!
I'm the happiest girl in Japan,
no, in the world
My friends,
I've answered the call of love
I stand at the threshold of love...
...where joy awaits
all the living and all the dead
My friends,
I've answered the call of love
We've arrived
B. F. Pinkerton. Bow
- May fortune smile on you
- Our respects
Was the climb a little hard?
For a well-mannered bride,
impatience is more taxing
What an exquisite compliment
I know more lovely ones
Gems, I'm sure
- If you'd like...
- No, thank you
Miss Butterfly,
your name suits you to perfection
Are you from Nagasaki?
Yes, sir,
from a family that was once prosperous
Isn't that so?
That is so
No one ever admits to being born poor
Every vagabond boasts
of illustrious forebears
I was once wealthy, but the wind
can topple the strongest oak
And we earned our living
as geishas
- Didn't we?
- We did
I'm not ashamed to admit it
Does that make you laugh?
Why? It's the way of the world
The way she talks excites me
- Do you have any sisters?
- No, I have my mother
A distinguished lady
But unfortunately very poor
And your father?
Dead
- How old are you?
- Guess
- Ten - Higher
- Twenty - Lower
Fifteen exactly, old already
Fifteen!
- The age for playing
- And getting married
The Imperial Commissioner,
the Registrar, the relatives
Hurry it along
What a comedy, this line-up...
...of my sale-or-return family
That must be my mother-in-law
lurking behind that fan
And that down-and-out
is the crazy, drunken uncle
She thinks she's better than you
because he chose her
- They'll divorce
- Let's hope so
She's lost her looks
Could you please
keep the noise down!
- Is there any wine?
- Let's have a look
I saw some,
the colour of crimson tea
Goro offered him to me
but I said no
He couldn't be more handsome,
he's like a king!
Could you please
keep the noise down!
You're a lucky man, Pinkerton
Yes, she's like a flower
Her exotic fragrance
has turned my head
I've never seen a lovelier girl
than this Butterfly
Her trust, and the contract
may seem a joke to you...
...but watch out, they're real to her
Come here, Mummy. Listen
One, two, three, everyone bow
Come, my love
Do you like the little house?
Mr B. F. Pinkerton, forgive me...
May I... a few things
- Where are they?
- Here. Do you mind?
Of course not, my lovely Butterfly
Handkerchiefs, a pipe
A sash, a clasp, a mirror, a fan
- That jar?
- Rouge
- Oh no!
- Don't you like it?
Away!
- What's this?
- This is sacred for me
Can't I see it?
There are too many people.
Forgive me
The Mikado sent it to her father,
inviting him...
- And her father?
- Obeyed
Hotoke
What did you call these puppets?
They're the souls of my ancestors
Oh, my respects
Yesterday, I went to the Mission
all alone, in secret
With my new life
I can adopt a new religion
My uncle, the Bonze, doesn't know,
nor does my family
I follow my destiny...
...and bow before Mr Pinkerton's god
It's my destiny
Kneeling at your side
in the same little church...
...I shall pray to the same god
To make you happy
I'd even forget my own people
My only love!
Silence, everyone
Permission is granted
to Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton...
...lieutenant on the gunboat Lincoln
of the US Navy...
...North America...
...and the young woman Butterfly,
of the Omura district, Nagasaki...
...to join in matrimony.
He of his own free will
She, with the consent
of her relatives, here as witnesses
The bridegroom
Then the bride
It's all done
Madam Butterfly
Madam B. F. Pinkerton
Best wishes
Thank you
- Is the Consul going down?
- I'll come with you
- See you tomorrow - Fine
- May you have many children
- I'll see what I can do
Be careful
At home with the family!
Let's get this over with, but decently
- O Kami!
- A toast to our new bond
Cio-Cio-San!
Abomination!
The Bonze
Can we get rid of this killjoy?
What did you do at the Mission?
- Answer, Cio-Cio-San
- What's this madman on about?
Answer, what did you do?
How can you not be in tears?
Is this the outcome?
She has disowned us all
Disowned our ancient religion
Kami Sarundasico!
Your soul is in mortal danger
That's enough of that!
Everyone come with me.
She has disowned us
And we disown you
Get out at once
I'm not having any
mumbo-jumbo in my house
Don't cry, little one,
over those croaking frogs
They're still shrieking
All the Bonzes in Japan...
...aren't worth a single tear
from your lovely eyes
Really?
I won't cry any more.
I almost don't care...
...because of your words
that sound so sweet
What are you doing to my hand?
I was told that over there...
...this was the highest sign of respect
Who's that mumbling?
It's Suzuki saying her evening prayer
- Night is falling
- Darkness, and peace
- You're here alone
- Alone and rejected...
Rejected...
...and happy
Close up
Yes, just us two
- Shut out the world
- And the raging Bonze
Suzuki, my robes
Good night
I've been longing to take off this sash
She squirrels out of her dress
To think this plaything is my wife!
He's smiling and watching
- But she has such grace...
- I'd like to hide away
...that I'm suddenly gripped by desire
That angry voice is still cursing me
Rejected Butterfly
Rejected, and happy
Child with those spell-binding eyes,
now you're all mine
I love the sight of your dark hair
...against your white robes
I'm like the goddess of the moon...
...who comes down from the night sky
To capture hearts
And wrap them in a white cloak
Then she takes them back
into the realm above
But in all this time
you still haven't said you love me
Does the goddess know the words
that satisfy burning desires?
She might not want to say them
in case they mean her death
A foolish fear, love doesn't kill
It brings life and smiling, heavenly joy
As it does now,
in your wide, almond eyes
You're now the centre of my universe
I liked you the moment I saw you
You're tall and strong,
you laugh without a care
You say things I've never heard before
I'm happy now
Love me, just a little
The way you love a child
Love me
Here we're used to little things...
...quiet and subtle affections...
...but boundless as the sky
and deep as the sea
Let me kiss those hands I love
My fragile Butterfly,
so well named
I heard that overseas, if a butterfly
falls into the hands of man...
...it's pierced with a pin...
...and fixed to a board
There's a bit of truth in that,
and do you know why?
To stop it flying away again
I hold you, fluttering in my grasp.
You're mine
- For ever - Come to me
Cast out the fear
you feel in your heart
It's a peaceful night.
Look, the whole world's asleep
- Soft night - Come to me
I've never seen
the stars look so lovely
Come, it's a peaceful night
Look, the whole world's asleep
Soft night.
I've never seen the stars look so lovely
Each star is twinkling like an eye
- All those eyes looking down...
- I hold you, fluttering in my grasp
...looking down from the heavens,
over the shores, over the sea
- The heavens are smiling
- Look: the whole world's asleep
Ecstatic with love,
the heavens are smiling
Izanagi, Izanami, Sarundasico, Kami
Oh, my head!
Tensho Kodai...
...make Butterfly never cry again
The Japanese gods are fat and lazy
I'm sure the American god
answers prayers much more quickly
But I'm afraid he doesn't know we're here
Suzuki, will we soon be destitute?
This is all we have left
We've spent too much
If he doesn't come back soon,
we're ruined
- But he is coming back - He is
Why else would he get
the Consul to pay the rent?
Tell me that
Why take such care with the locks...
...if he never meant to return?
I don't know
Don't you?
I'll tell you. To keep out
my pestering relatives
And inside, to guard his wife
His wife, me, Butterfly
You never hear of a foreign husband
coming back to his nest
Silence, or I'll kill you
That last morning,
I asked him if he would return
His heart was heavy,
but he smiled to conceal his sadness
"Butterfly, my little wife,
I'll be back when the roses bloom"
"In the season
when the robins nest again"
- He'll be back - Let's hope
Say it with me: he'll be back
He'll be back
Why are you crying?
You lack faith. Listen
One fine day
we'll see a thread of smoke rising...
...out on the horizon,
and then the ship will appear
The white ship will sail into port
It will fire its cannon.
Can you see? He's back
I don't go down to meet him
I stand on the brow of the hill, and wait
And the long wait means nothing
Out of the bustling town...
...comes a man, a tiny dot,
heading for the hill
Who can it be?
And when he arrives, what will he say?
He'll call "Butterfly!" from afar
I'll say nothing, but stay hidden
Partly to tease, and partly...
...so as not to die
when we first meet again.
He'll be a little overcome,
and call, "Little wife, verbena blossom!"
The names he used to call to me
when he was here
This will all come true,
I promise you
Keep your fear to yourself.
With a faith that can't be shaken...
...I'm waiting for him
She's there. Go in
Excuse me
- Madam Butterfly
- Madam Pinkerton, please
- My dear Mr Consul
- Do you recognise me?
Welcome to an American home
Thank you
Are your ancestors well?
I hope so
- Do you smoke?
- No, thank you
- I have here...
- I see the sky is blue today
Thank you. I have...
Do you prefer American cigarettes?
- I have to show you...
- Here
I've had a letter
from Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton
- Really? Is he well?
- Perfectly
I am the happiest woman in Japan
- May I ask you a question?
- Please do
In America,
when do the robins make their nests?
- I beg your pardon?
- Earlier or later than here?
But why?
My husband promised to return
in that happy season...
...when the robins nest again
Here they've nested three times,
but there they might not nest so often
Who's laughing?
Oh, that nasty man
- I'm enjoying...
- Silence
He dared to...
No, first answer my question
I'm very sorry, I don't know.
I haven't studied ornithology
- Orni...
- ...thology
- So you don't know
- No. We were saying...
Yes, as soon as Pinkerton set sail...
...Goro besieged me with proposals...
...for one new husband or another
Now he's promising a fortune
for an idiot
A rich man, Yamadori.
She's destitute.
Her relatives have all cut her off
Look, here he comes
Yamadori, still not discouraged
by the pains of love?
Will you still slit your wrists
if I don't kiss you?
Unrequited love is one of
the greatest trials in life
You've had so many wives
you must be used to it
Divorce has set me free
from every one
You're too kind
I swear I'd be true to you
Villas, servants, gold.
A princely palace at Omura
- I'm not free to wed
- She thinks she's still married
I don't think so, I am
- But the law...
- I don't know about that
It states that abandonment
is the same as divorce
Japanese law
Not the law of my country
- Which one?
- The United States
The poor woman
Of course, throwing out your wife...
...is what they call divorce here
But in America you can't do that
- Can you?
- No, but...
There, a stern judge
says to the husband...
"So you want to leave.
Do tell us why"
"I'm fed up being married"
Then the judge says,
"Scoundrel, off to gaol"
Tea, Suzuki
Did you hear that?
Her utter blindness is so distressing
Pinkerton's ship has been sighted
If she sees him again...
He won't show his face.
I came expressly to tell her
Your Honour...
What tiresome people
I leave you my heart, heavy with sorrow.
But I still hope
As you wish
- If you would only...
- Unfortunately, I won't
Come and sit here.
Shall we read this letter?
Let me press it to my lips and to my heart
You're the kindest man in the world.
Begin
"Will you have a look
for that beautiful girl..."
- Does it really say that?
- Yes, but if you keep on...
I won't say another word
"Three years have gone by
since those happy days"
He's been counting too
"Butterfly might not now remember me"
Not remember him?
Suzuki, tell him
"Not now remember me..."
Patience!
"If she still loves me
and is waiting for me..."
Such sweet words! Blessed letter
"...I'd like you please
to discreetly prepare her..."
- He's coming back! When?
- "...for the blow..."
- When?
- For goodness' sake!
I have to stop this now.
Damn that Pinkerton!
What would you do, Madam Butterfly...
...if he were never
to come back again?
There are two things I could do
Go back to entertaining
people with my songs
Or else, better, die
It pains me to shatter your illusions
Accept that rich man
Yamadori's proposal
Can you really be saying this to me?
God almighty, what can I do?
Quick, Suzuki, His Honour is leaving
- Are you sending me away?
- Please, no more
I was brutal, it's true
You cause me such pain
It's nothing
I thought I would die
But it passes as quickly
as the clouds across the sea
Has he forgotten me?
And this?
Will he be able to forget this too?
Is it his?
Who ever saw
a blue-eyed Japanese child?
These lips, these golden curls?
Of course. Does Pinkerton know?
No
He was born when he was
in that vast land of his
But you'll write to say a son
without equal is waiting for him
Tell me if he doesn't then
rush across land and sea
Do you know what that man
had the heart to think?
That your mother
will have to take you in her arms...
...and wander the streets
in the wind and rain...
...to earn the money
to feed and clothe you
And stretch out her hand
to the pitying people...
...crying, "Hear my sorrowful song!"
"Take pity on an unhappy mother"
Then Butterfly's ghastly fate
will be to dance for you
And as she used to do,
the geisha will sing
And the joyful song will end with a sob
No, not that
A profession of dishonour
Dead! Never dance again
I'd rather end my life
Death!
How sad
I'm going back down.
Will you excuse me?
Give him your hand
Lovely golden hair.
What do they call you?
Say, today my name is Sorrow
But write to my Daddy
and tell him the day he returns...
...my name will be Joy
Your father will hear,
you have my word
Wasp! Cursed toad!
- What happened?
- That vampire!
He's always spreading the tale...
...that no one knows who the father is
I only said that in America...
...when a child like that is born...
...he will always be an outcast
You're lying!
Say that again and I'll kill you
You'll see, my little love,
my pain and my comfort
You'll see, my little love
He'll come and take us
far away to his country
The harbour cannon!
A battleship
White...
The stars and stripes...
It's going to drop anchor
Steady my hand
so I can make out the name
The name...
There it is: Abraham Lincoln
They were all lying
I was the only one who knew
Only I, who love him
See how foolish it was to doubt?
He's here
Just when they were all saying,
"Weep and despair"
My love has triumphed
My love and my faith
have triumphed
He's coming back and he loves me
Shake the cherry-tree
and cover me with flowers
Let me cool my burning brow
in its fragrant shower
Calm yourself, you're crying
No, I'm laughing.
How long will we have to wait?
- What do you think, an hour?
- Longer
Two hours, perhaps
Cover everything with flowers
like a sky filled with stars
Fetch the flowers
- All the flowers?
- All of them
Peach blossom, violet, jasmine
Every flower from every tree
The garden will look like winter
I want all the fragrance of spring
The garden will look like winter
- Take these - Pick more
You often came to this hedge to look...
...far out to sea, with tears in your eyes
The sea has returned him.
I want nothing more
I gave my tears to the soil
it gives me back flowers
The garden is bare
Come and help me
- Roses across the threshold
- I want all the fragrance of spring
Let us scatter April flowers
all around
I want all the fragrance of spring
- Lilies, violets?
- Scatter them all around
Let us scatter April flowers
all around
Let us scatter morning glory,
lilies and violets all around
Let's scatter handfuls
of violets and roses
Verbena flowers,
petals from every flower
Now come and make me beautiful
No, first bring me the child
My looks have faded
Too many sighs passed my lips
My eyes stared
too hard into the distance
Put a touch of rouge on my cheeks
You too, little one...
...so the wait doesn't make you pale
Don't move
while I arrange your hair
What will they say!
And the Bonze...
...already pleased to see me hurt
And Yamadori pining away!
All of them ridiculed and humiliated
It's done
Bring the sash I wore as a bride
I want him to see me dressed
the way I was that first day
And a red poppy in my hair
Like this
We'll make three little spy-holes
in the shoji
And we'll wait as quiet as mice
It's daybreak
Cio-Cio-San
He'll come, you'll see
Go and rest
I'll call you when he comes
Sleep, my love.
Sleep pressed to my heart
You are with God
and I am with my grief
Golden starbeams for you.
Sleep, my child
Poor Butterfly
Who's there?
Hush!
Don't waken her
She was so tired
She stayed up all night
waiting for you with the child
How did she know?
For three years
she's checked every ship
Its colour and its flag
Didn't I tell you?
- I'll call her - No, not yet
Last night she wanted
to scatter flowers
Didn't I tell you?
How sad
Who's outside in the garden?
A woman
- Hush!
- Who is it?
Best tell her everything
- Who is she?
- She's with me
- Who is she?
- She's his wife
Blessed souls of our ancestors!
The sun has been blotted out
for the little one
We chose to come early
to see you alone, Suzuki
To see if you can help
in her moment of trial
What good would that do?
I know that nothing
can ever console her
But we have to think
of the child's future
- The bitter scent...
- That lady...
- ...of these flowers
- ...who doesn't dare enter...
- ...is like poison to my heart
- ...will care for him like a mother
- You want me to ask a mother...?
- This room hasn't changed
- Talk to her...
- But now there's a chill of death
...bring her here
It might even be better
if Butterfly sees her
Then she'll grasp the truth
Three years have gone by,
and she's counted the days and hours
- Come along, Suzuki
- I can't stay here
I'll wait for you on the path
Didn't I tell you?
You help her.
I'm overwhelmed by remorse
Remember, I told you
when she gave you her hand
"Be careful, she believes in this."
And my words have proved right
Deaf to advice, deaf to doubt, vilified...
...she put her whole heart
into waiting for you
I've suddenly realised
the harm I've done
I feel this anguish
will never leave me
On your way.
She'll learn the sad truth alone
Goodbye, flowery refuge
of happiness and love
The sight of her gentle face
will torture me for the rest of my life
I'm sure she's already guessed
I can't bear to see you look so desolate
Like a coward, I'm running away
I can't bear to see you look so desolate
I'm a coward
Will you tell her?
I promise
Will you advise her to entrust...?
- I promise
- I'll bring him up like my own son
I believe you.
But I need to be alone with her
At this terrible time, alone
Her tears will never end
Suzuki! Where are you?
I'm here. I was praying and tidying up
No, don't come in
He's here! Where is he hiding?
There's the Consul
But where...?
He's not here
That woman...
What does she want from me?
Everyone's silent
Why are you crying?
No, don't tell me anything
I might suddenly fall down dead
Suzuki, you're so kind, don't cry
Just quietly say yes or no
- Is he alive?
- Yes
But he's not coming back.
They've told you
You wasp! Answer me
- Never again
- But he arrived yesterday?
Yes
That woman is making me so frightened
She's the innocent cause
of all your misfortune
Forgive her
She's his wife
That's the end of everything for me
Be brave!
They want to take all I have
My son
Make the sacrifice for his sake
What a sad mother...
...abandoning my son
Very well, I have to obey him
Can you forgive me, Butterfly?
Beneath the arc of heaven
there's no woman happier than you
Never be sad on my account
- The poor little thing
- It's a terrible shame
Will she give up her son?
I'll give him up
if he comes to collect him
Come up the hill in half an hour
Your heart is beating
like the wings of a trapped moth
There's too much light from outside
and too much spring
Close up
Where's the child?
Playing. Shall I call him?
Let him play.
Go and keep him company
- I'll stay with you
- Go, I order you
"He who can no longer live with honour
dies with honour"
You?
My little god, my love,
the flower of lily and rose
Never know that it's for you...
...that Butterfly is dying
So that you can cross the seas...
...and grow up without the pain...
...of knowing
your mother abandoned you
You came down to me
from the throne of paradise
Look closely at your mother's face
Let some trace of it remain with you
Look well. Goodbye, my little love
Go and play
Butterfly!
...slide back and forth...
...giving a different look
to the same space
Where's the bridal suite?
That's up to you
More sleight of hand!
- The living room?
- Here
Outside?
One panel glides...
I see
- And another...
- ...slides
The whole play-house...
Rock solid, from floor to ceiling
A house made of air
This is the maid,
who's already serving your bride
The cook, the house-boy
- They're a little overwhelmed
- Names?
Wisp of Cloud
Rising Sun
Scented Breeze
Is Your Honour smiling?
Ocunama said,
"Troubles fade at a smile"
A smile opens the gate to paradise
Perfume of the gods,
the fountain of life
Ocunama said,
"Troubles fade at a smile"
All over the world
women witter on like that
- What are you looking at?
- To see if the bride is on her way
- So everything's ready?
- Everything
What a perfect marriage broker!
We'll be joined by the Registrar,
the relatives...
...your consul, and the bride
You sign the contract
and then you're married
Are there lots of relatives?
Bride's mother, granny,
her uncle, the Bonze...
...who won't be deigning to attend
Between cousins and others...
...let's say two dozen
As for descendants...
...Your Honour
and lovely Butterfly will provide
What a perfect marriage broker!
Clambering in this heat,
out of breath, stumbling
The Consul's here
Those pebbles have finished me off
Welcome
Some refreshments, Goro
- It's high up
- But it's beautiful
Nagasaki, the sea, the harbour
And a little house
you conjure out of nothing
- Yours?
- I bought it for 999 years
But I can break the contract
any month
Here, houses and contracts
are equally flexible
- And the smart man takes advantage
- Sure
The carefree American
is all over the world...
...doing deals
and having a good time
He drops anchor wherever he lands up
A milk punch or a whisky?
He drops anchor wherever he lands up...
...until his ship is hit by a squall
He's not satisfied unless
he's acquired every treasure...
Quite a casual gospel
...and the love of every pretty girl
A casual gospel...
...that makes for an easy life
but leaves a sadness in your heart
If he takes a knock,
he picks himself back up again
His talents work wherever he goes
So I'm marrying Japanese-style
for 999 years
- With a monthly get-out
- Quite a casual gospel
America for ever!
Is the bride pretty?
A garland of fresh flowers,
a beam of golden starlight
And all for 100 yen
If you're interested,
I have a wide range...
Go and get her
What's got into you?
Are you so utterly in love?
I don't know.
It depends what type of love
I couldn't say
if it's love or an infatuation
But she's certainly
captivated me with her innocent ways
She's as delicate as a glass figurine
She looks like one
of those figures on a screen
Then suddenly she steps out
from that shiny lacquer background
Like a butterfly, she lands
with silent gracefulness
Then I have to pursue her...
...even if I damage her wings
She came to the Consulate the other day
I didn't see her, but I heard her speak
I was struck by the sound of her voice
She sounded like someone
truly in love
It would be a terrible thing
to tear off her wings...
...and maybe break a trusting heart
You're a kind man...
...but don't get carried away
People of your age
tend to take a bleak view
- Where's the harm...
- That timid little voice...
- ...in guiding her towards love?
- ...should never utter a sad word
- Whisky?
- Another glass
Here's to your family back home
And here's to the day
when I have a proper wedding...
...with a proper American bride
They've arrived at the top of the hill
I can hear their girlish chatter,
like rustling leaves
Boundless sky, boundless sea
One more step. Wait
The joyful breath of spring
wafts over land and sea
The happy chatter of youth!
I'm the happiest girl in Japan,
no, in the world
My friends,
I've answered the call of love
I stand at the threshold of love...
...where joy awaits
all the living and all the dead
My friends,
I've answered the call of love
We've arrived
B. F. Pinkerton. Bow
- May fortune smile on you
- Our respects
Was the climb a little hard?
For a well-mannered bride,
impatience is more taxing
What an exquisite compliment
I know more lovely ones
Gems, I'm sure
- If you'd like...
- No, thank you
Miss Butterfly,
your name suits you to perfection
Are you from Nagasaki?
Yes, sir,
from a family that was once prosperous
Isn't that so?
That is so
No one ever admits to being born poor
Every vagabond boasts
of illustrious forebears
I was once wealthy, but the wind
can topple the strongest oak
And we earned our living
as geishas
- Didn't we?
- We did
I'm not ashamed to admit it
Does that make you laugh?
Why? It's the way of the world
The way she talks excites me
- Do you have any sisters?
- No, I have my mother
A distinguished lady
But unfortunately very poor
And your father?
Dead
- How old are you?
- Guess
- Ten - Higher
- Twenty - Lower
Fifteen exactly, old already
Fifteen!
- The age for playing
- And getting married
The Imperial Commissioner,
the Registrar, the relatives
Hurry it along
What a comedy, this line-up...
...of my sale-or-return family
That must be my mother-in-law
lurking behind that fan
And that down-and-out
is the crazy, drunken uncle
She thinks she's better than you
because he chose her
- They'll divorce
- Let's hope so
She's lost her looks
Could you please
keep the noise down!
- Is there any wine?
- Let's have a look
I saw some,
the colour of crimson tea
Goro offered him to me
but I said no
He couldn't be more handsome,
he's like a king!
Could you please
keep the noise down!
You're a lucky man, Pinkerton
Yes, she's like a flower
Her exotic fragrance
has turned my head
I've never seen a lovelier girl
than this Butterfly
Her trust, and the contract
may seem a joke to you...
...but watch out, they're real to her
Come here, Mummy. Listen
One, two, three, everyone bow
Come, my love
Do you like the little house?
Mr B. F. Pinkerton, forgive me...
May I... a few things
- Where are they?
- Here. Do you mind?
Of course not, my lovely Butterfly
Handkerchiefs, a pipe
A sash, a clasp, a mirror, a fan
- That jar?
- Rouge
- Oh no!
- Don't you like it?
Away!
- What's this?
- This is sacred for me
Can't I see it?
There are too many people.
Forgive me
The Mikado sent it to her father,
inviting him...
- And her father?
- Obeyed
Hotoke
What did you call these puppets?
They're the souls of my ancestors
Oh, my respects
Yesterday, I went to the Mission
all alone, in secret
With my new life
I can adopt a new religion
My uncle, the Bonze, doesn't know,
nor does my family
I follow my destiny...
...and bow before Mr Pinkerton's god
It's my destiny
Kneeling at your side
in the same little church...
...I shall pray to the same god
To make you happy
I'd even forget my own people
My only love!
Silence, everyone
Permission is granted
to Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton...
...lieutenant on the gunboat Lincoln
of the US Navy...
...North America...
...and the young woman Butterfly,
of the Omura district, Nagasaki...
...to join in matrimony.
He of his own free will
She, with the consent
of her relatives, here as witnesses
The bridegroom
Then the bride
It's all done
Madam Butterfly
Madam B. F. Pinkerton
Best wishes
Thank you
- Is the Consul going down?
- I'll come with you
- See you tomorrow - Fine
- May you have many children
- I'll see what I can do
Be careful
At home with the family!
Let's get this over with, but decently
- O Kami!
- A toast to our new bond
Cio-Cio-San!
Abomination!
The Bonze
Can we get rid of this killjoy?
What did you do at the Mission?
- Answer, Cio-Cio-San
- What's this madman on about?
Answer, what did you do?
How can you not be in tears?
Is this the outcome?
She has disowned us all
Disowned our ancient religion
Kami Sarundasico!
Your soul is in mortal danger
That's enough of that!
Everyone come with me.
She has disowned us
And we disown you
Get out at once
I'm not having any
mumbo-jumbo in my house
Don't cry, little one,
over those croaking frogs
They're still shrieking
All the Bonzes in Japan...
...aren't worth a single tear
from your lovely eyes
Really?
I won't cry any more.
I almost don't care...
...because of your words
that sound so sweet
What are you doing to my hand?
I was told that over there...
...this was the highest sign of respect
Who's that mumbling?
It's Suzuki saying her evening prayer
- Night is falling
- Darkness, and peace
- You're here alone
- Alone and rejected...
Rejected...
...and happy
Close up
Yes, just us two
- Shut out the world
- And the raging Bonze
Suzuki, my robes
Good night
I've been longing to take off this sash
She squirrels out of her dress
To think this plaything is my wife!
He's smiling and watching
- But she has such grace...
- I'd like to hide away
...that I'm suddenly gripped by desire
That angry voice is still cursing me
Rejected Butterfly
Rejected, and happy
Child with those spell-binding eyes,
now you're all mine
I love the sight of your dark hair
...against your white robes
I'm like the goddess of the moon...
...who comes down from the night sky
To capture hearts
And wrap them in a white cloak
Then she takes them back
into the realm above
But in all this time
you still haven't said you love me
Does the goddess know the words
that satisfy burning desires?
She might not want to say them
in case they mean her death
A foolish fear, love doesn't kill
It brings life and smiling, heavenly joy
As it does now,
in your wide, almond eyes
You're now the centre of my universe
I liked you the moment I saw you
You're tall and strong,
you laugh without a care
You say things I've never heard before
I'm happy now
Love me, just a little
The way you love a child
Love me
Here we're used to little things...
...quiet and subtle affections...
...but boundless as the sky
and deep as the sea
Let me kiss those hands I love
My fragile Butterfly,
so well named
I heard that overseas, if a butterfly
falls into the hands of man...
...it's pierced with a pin...
...and fixed to a board
There's a bit of truth in that,
and do you know why?
To stop it flying away again
I hold you, fluttering in my grasp.
You're mine
- For ever - Come to me
Cast out the fear
you feel in your heart
It's a peaceful night.
Look, the whole world's asleep
- Soft night - Come to me
I've never seen
the stars look so lovely
Come, it's a peaceful night
Look, the whole world's asleep
Soft night.
I've never seen the stars look so lovely
Each star is twinkling like an eye
- All those eyes looking down...
- I hold you, fluttering in my grasp
...looking down from the heavens,
over the shores, over the sea
- The heavens are smiling
- Look: the whole world's asleep
Ecstatic with love,
the heavens are smiling
Izanagi, Izanami, Sarundasico, Kami
Oh, my head!
Tensho Kodai...
...make Butterfly never cry again
The Japanese gods are fat and lazy
I'm sure the American god
answers prayers much more quickly
But I'm afraid he doesn't know we're here
Suzuki, will we soon be destitute?
This is all we have left
We've spent too much
If he doesn't come back soon,
we're ruined
- But he is coming back - He is
Why else would he get
the Consul to pay the rent?
Tell me that
Why take such care with the locks...
...if he never meant to return?
I don't know
Don't you?
I'll tell you. To keep out
my pestering relatives
And inside, to guard his wife
His wife, me, Butterfly
You never hear of a foreign husband
coming back to his nest
Silence, or I'll kill you
That last morning,
I asked him if he would return
His heart was heavy,
but he smiled to conceal his sadness
"Butterfly, my little wife,
I'll be back when the roses bloom"
"In the season
when the robins nest again"
- He'll be back - Let's hope
Say it with me: he'll be back
He'll be back
Why are you crying?
You lack faith. Listen
One fine day
we'll see a thread of smoke rising...
...out on the horizon,
and then the ship will appear
The white ship will sail into port
It will fire its cannon.
Can you see? He's back
I don't go down to meet him
I stand on the brow of the hill, and wait
And the long wait means nothing
Out of the bustling town...
...comes a man, a tiny dot,
heading for the hill
Who can it be?
And when he arrives, what will he say?
He'll call "Butterfly!" from afar
I'll say nothing, but stay hidden
Partly to tease, and partly...
...so as not to die
when we first meet again.
He'll be a little overcome,
and call, "Little wife, verbena blossom!"
The names he used to call to me
when he was here
This will all come true,
I promise you
Keep your fear to yourself.
With a faith that can't be shaken...
...I'm waiting for him
She's there. Go in
Excuse me
- Madam Butterfly
- Madam Pinkerton, please
- My dear Mr Consul
- Do you recognise me?
Welcome to an American home
Thank you
Are your ancestors well?
I hope so
- Do you smoke?
- No, thank you
- I have here...
- I see the sky is blue today
Thank you. I have...
Do you prefer American cigarettes?
- I have to show you...
- Here
I've had a letter
from Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton
- Really? Is he well?
- Perfectly
I am the happiest woman in Japan
- May I ask you a question?
- Please do
In America,
when do the robins make their nests?
- I beg your pardon?
- Earlier or later than here?
But why?
My husband promised to return
in that happy season...
...when the robins nest again
Here they've nested three times,
but there they might not nest so often
Who's laughing?
Oh, that nasty man
- I'm enjoying...
- Silence
He dared to...
No, first answer my question
I'm very sorry, I don't know.
I haven't studied ornithology
- Orni...
- ...thology
- So you don't know
- No. We were saying...
Yes, as soon as Pinkerton set sail...
...Goro besieged me with proposals...
...for one new husband or another
Now he's promising a fortune
for an idiot
A rich man, Yamadori.
She's destitute.
Her relatives have all cut her off
Look, here he comes
Yamadori, still not discouraged
by the pains of love?
Will you still slit your wrists
if I don't kiss you?
Unrequited love is one of
the greatest trials in life
You've had so many wives
you must be used to it
Divorce has set me free
from every one
You're too kind
I swear I'd be true to you
Villas, servants, gold.
A princely palace at Omura
- I'm not free to wed
- She thinks she's still married
I don't think so, I am
- But the law...
- I don't know about that
It states that abandonment
is the same as divorce
Japanese law
Not the law of my country
- Which one?
- The United States
The poor woman
Of course, throwing out your wife...
...is what they call divorce here
But in America you can't do that
- Can you?
- No, but...
There, a stern judge
says to the husband...
"So you want to leave.
Do tell us why"
"I'm fed up being married"
Then the judge says,
"Scoundrel, off to gaol"
Tea, Suzuki
Did you hear that?
Her utter blindness is so distressing
Pinkerton's ship has been sighted
If she sees him again...
He won't show his face.
I came expressly to tell her
Your Honour...
What tiresome people
I leave you my heart, heavy with sorrow.
But I still hope
As you wish
- If you would only...
- Unfortunately, I won't
Come and sit here.
Shall we read this letter?
Let me press it to my lips and to my heart
You're the kindest man in the world.
Begin
"Will you have a look
for that beautiful girl..."
- Does it really say that?
- Yes, but if you keep on...
I won't say another word
"Three years have gone by
since those happy days"
He's been counting too
"Butterfly might not now remember me"
Not remember him?
Suzuki, tell him
"Not now remember me..."
Patience!
"If she still loves me
and is waiting for me..."
Such sweet words! Blessed letter
"...I'd like you please
to discreetly prepare her..."
- He's coming back! When?
- "...for the blow..."
- When?
- For goodness' sake!
I have to stop this now.
Damn that Pinkerton!
What would you do, Madam Butterfly...
...if he were never
to come back again?
There are two things I could do
Go back to entertaining
people with my songs
Or else, better, die
It pains me to shatter your illusions
Accept that rich man
Yamadori's proposal
Can you really be saying this to me?
God almighty, what can I do?
Quick, Suzuki, His Honour is leaving
- Are you sending me away?
- Please, no more
I was brutal, it's true
You cause me such pain
It's nothing
I thought I would die
But it passes as quickly
as the clouds across the sea
Has he forgotten me?
And this?
Will he be able to forget this too?
Is it his?
Who ever saw
a blue-eyed Japanese child?
These lips, these golden curls?
Of course. Does Pinkerton know?
No
He was born when he was
in that vast land of his
But you'll write to say a son
without equal is waiting for him
Tell me if he doesn't then
rush across land and sea
Do you know what that man
had the heart to think?
That your mother
will have to take you in her arms...
...and wander the streets
in the wind and rain...
...to earn the money
to feed and clothe you
And stretch out her hand
to the pitying people...
...crying, "Hear my sorrowful song!"
"Take pity on an unhappy mother"
Then Butterfly's ghastly fate
will be to dance for you
And as she used to do,
the geisha will sing
And the joyful song will end with a sob
No, not that
A profession of dishonour
Dead! Never dance again
I'd rather end my life
Death!
How sad
I'm going back down.
Will you excuse me?
Give him your hand
Lovely golden hair.
What do they call you?
Say, today my name is Sorrow
But write to my Daddy
and tell him the day he returns...
...my name will be Joy
Your father will hear,
you have my word
Wasp! Cursed toad!
- What happened?
- That vampire!
He's always spreading the tale...
...that no one knows who the father is
I only said that in America...
...when a child like that is born...
...he will always be an outcast
You're lying!
Say that again and I'll kill you
You'll see, my little love,
my pain and my comfort
You'll see, my little love
He'll come and take us
far away to his country
The harbour cannon!
A battleship
White...
The stars and stripes...
It's going to drop anchor
Steady my hand
so I can make out the name
The name...
There it is: Abraham Lincoln
They were all lying
I was the only one who knew
Only I, who love him
See how foolish it was to doubt?
He's here
Just when they were all saying,
"Weep and despair"
My love has triumphed
My love and my faith
have triumphed
He's coming back and he loves me
Shake the cherry-tree
and cover me with flowers
Let me cool my burning brow
in its fragrant shower
Calm yourself, you're crying
No, I'm laughing.
How long will we have to wait?
- What do you think, an hour?
- Longer
Two hours, perhaps
Cover everything with flowers
like a sky filled with stars
Fetch the flowers
- All the flowers?
- All of them
Peach blossom, violet, jasmine
Every flower from every tree
The garden will look like winter
I want all the fragrance of spring
The garden will look like winter
- Take these - Pick more
You often came to this hedge to look...
...far out to sea, with tears in your eyes
The sea has returned him.
I want nothing more
I gave my tears to the soil
it gives me back flowers
The garden is bare
Come and help me
- Roses across the threshold
- I want all the fragrance of spring
Let us scatter April flowers
all around
I want all the fragrance of spring
- Lilies, violets?
- Scatter them all around
Let us scatter April flowers
all around
Let us scatter morning glory,
lilies and violets all around
Let's scatter handfuls
of violets and roses
Verbena flowers,
petals from every flower
Now come and make me beautiful
No, first bring me the child
My looks have faded
Too many sighs passed my lips
My eyes stared
too hard into the distance
Put a touch of rouge on my cheeks
You too, little one...
...so the wait doesn't make you pale
Don't move
while I arrange your hair
What will they say!
And the Bonze...
...already pleased to see me hurt
And Yamadori pining away!
All of them ridiculed and humiliated
It's done
Bring the sash I wore as a bride
I want him to see me dressed
the way I was that first day
And a red poppy in my hair
Like this
We'll make three little spy-holes
in the shoji
And we'll wait as quiet as mice
It's daybreak
Cio-Cio-San
He'll come, you'll see
Go and rest
I'll call you when he comes
Sleep, my love.
Sleep pressed to my heart
You are with God
and I am with my grief
Golden starbeams for you.
Sleep, my child
Poor Butterfly
Who's there?
Hush!
Don't waken her
She was so tired
She stayed up all night
waiting for you with the child
How did she know?
For three years
she's checked every ship
Its colour and its flag
Didn't I tell you?
- I'll call her - No, not yet
Last night she wanted
to scatter flowers
Didn't I tell you?
How sad
Who's outside in the garden?
A woman
- Hush!
- Who is it?
Best tell her everything
- Who is she?
- She's with me
- Who is she?
- She's his wife
Blessed souls of our ancestors!
The sun has been blotted out
for the little one
We chose to come early
to see you alone, Suzuki
To see if you can help
in her moment of trial
What good would that do?
I know that nothing
can ever console her
But we have to think
of the child's future
- The bitter scent...
- That lady...
- ...of these flowers
- ...who doesn't dare enter...
- ...is like poison to my heart
- ...will care for him like a mother
- You want me to ask a mother...?
- This room hasn't changed
- Talk to her...
- But now there's a chill of death
...bring her here
It might even be better
if Butterfly sees her
Then she'll grasp the truth
Three years have gone by,
and she's counted the days and hours
- Come along, Suzuki
- I can't stay here
I'll wait for you on the path
Didn't I tell you?
You help her.
I'm overwhelmed by remorse
Remember, I told you
when she gave you her hand
"Be careful, she believes in this."
And my words have proved right
Deaf to advice, deaf to doubt, vilified...
...she put her whole heart
into waiting for you
I've suddenly realised
the harm I've done
I feel this anguish
will never leave me
On your way.
She'll learn the sad truth alone
Goodbye, flowery refuge
of happiness and love
The sight of her gentle face
will torture me for the rest of my life
I'm sure she's already guessed
I can't bear to see you look so desolate
Like a coward, I'm running away
I can't bear to see you look so desolate
I'm a coward
Will you tell her?
I promise
Will you advise her to entrust...?
- I promise
- I'll bring him up like my own son
I believe you.
But I need to be alone with her
At this terrible time, alone
Her tears will never end
Suzuki! Where are you?
I'm here. I was praying and tidying up
No, don't come in
He's here! Where is he hiding?
There's the Consul
But where...?
He's not here
That woman...
What does she want from me?
Everyone's silent
Why are you crying?
No, don't tell me anything
I might suddenly fall down dead
Suzuki, you're so kind, don't cry
Just quietly say yes or no
- Is he alive?
- Yes
But he's not coming back.
They've told you
You wasp! Answer me
- Never again
- But he arrived yesterday?
Yes
That woman is making me so frightened
She's the innocent cause
of all your misfortune
Forgive her
She's his wife
That's the end of everything for me
Be brave!
They want to take all I have
My son
Make the sacrifice for his sake
What a sad mother...
...abandoning my son
Very well, I have to obey him
Can you forgive me, Butterfly?
Beneath the arc of heaven
there's no woman happier than you
Never be sad on my account
- The poor little thing
- It's a terrible shame
Will she give up her son?
I'll give him up
if he comes to collect him
Come up the hill in half an hour
Your heart is beating
like the wings of a trapped moth
There's too much light from outside
and too much spring
Close up
Where's the child?
Playing. Shall I call him?
Let him play.
Go and keep him company
- I'll stay with you
- Go, I order you
"He who can no longer live with honour
dies with honour"
You?
My little god, my love,
the flower of lily and rose
Never know that it's for you...
...that Butterfly is dying
So that you can cross the seas...
...and grow up without the pain...
...of knowing
your mother abandoned you
You came down to me
from the throne of paradise
Look closely at your mother's face
Let some trace of it remain with you
Look well. Goodbye, my little love
Go and play
Butterfly!