The action of Madama Butterfly takes place shortly after the turn of the century, or roughly halfway between the time Commodore Perry began to force Japan out of isolation and the day when Nagasaki became linked with Hiroshima in the world’s consciousness.
ACT I. GARDEN OF A HOUSE IN NAGASAKI.
Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy, amused by certain Japanese customs and determined to enjoy the pleasures of the country where he finds himself stationed, has arranged through Goro, a marriage broker, to wed a beautiful young Japanese girl named Cio-Cio-San, who has the nickname Madama Butterfly. Pinkerton intends to marry in Japanese fashion for 999 years, but with a monthly escape clause. The American consul, Sharpless, tries to dissuade Pinkerton, because he senses that the bride believes the marriage will be binding. Pinkerton brushes aside the consul’s concerns and orders Goro to summon the bridal company.
Butterfly appears with her relatives and friends, joyous and radiant. Following introductions, the marriage contract is drawn, witnessed, and signed. The crowd is toasting the couple’s happiness when Cio-Cio San’s name is ominously shouted by her uncle, a fanatical Buddhist priest. He storms in, cursing Butterfly for betraying her faith and people to marry the American. Pinkerton confronts him while her relatives renounce the young girl, leaving her in tears. Pinkerton, touched by her weeping and anguish, consoles her, and Act I ends with a moving love duet.
ACT II. THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE, THREE YEARS LATER.
Three years have passed since Pinkerton sailed away, leaving Butterfly with the promise that he would return when the robins nested again. Suzuki is skeptical and concerned that their money is almost gone. Butterfly angrily upbraids Suzuki and sings of the day when her husband will return to her.
Goro and Sharpless enter and Butterfly greets the Consul joyously, never suspecting that he has come to inform her of Pinkerton’s marriage to an American wife. The Consul fails in his mission, unable to deliver his message in the face of Butterfly’s unwavering trust. Goro attempts to interest her in Yamadori, a rich suitor, but Butterfly declares proudly that she is already married. Sharpless attempts to get her to face the facts by asking what she would do if Pinkerton never returned. After a moment of shock, she replies that she would prefer to die. Suddenly, she brings her child to Sharpless. She informs him that her husband does not know this news but she insists that when he does, he will hasten to return. Sharpless promises her that Pinkerton will be told and leaves. Soon after, a distant canon announces the arrival of Pinkerton’s warship, the Abraham Lincoln. Butterfly, ecstatic with anticipation, hurries to prepare for her beloved’s arrival. With all in readiness, Butterfly, Suzuki, and the child peer out into the deepening darkness, waiting for the arrival of Pinkerton. As night comes, first the child, then Suzuki fall asleep, but Butterfly, rigid and silent, holds her vigil.
INTERMISSION
ACT III. THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
Dawn. Suzuki and the child are sleeping but Butterfly stands motionless, still watching and waiting. As the morning light floods the room, Suzuki convinces Butterfly to rest and promises to awaken her when Pinkerton arrives.
Knocks on the door announce the arrival of Sharpless and, to Suzuki’s astonishment, Pinkerton. But Suzuki’s suspicions are confirmed as she discovers the awful truth of Pinkerton’s American marriage and the reason for his visit to their house: to take his son back to America. As the three discuss the situation, Pinkerton begins to comprehend the full measure of pain and anguish for which he alone is responsible. He cannot remain to face the unsuspecting Butterfly with his dreadful confession and leaves Sharpless to settle the matter.
Butterfly appears, expecting to find her husband, but instead confronts Sharpless and Kate Pinkerton. Dazed but calm, Butterfly offers her wishes for happiness to Pinkerton’s new wife and sends word for Pinkerton to come and take his child. Sharpless and Kate retreat, while Butterfly takes her father’s knife bearing the inscription “To die with honor when one can no longer live with honor,” and prepares to commit suicide. She sings a passionate farewell to her uncomprehending child, appropriately named Sorrow, and dies as Pinkerton is heard from the distance calling her name.
Libretto
Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on the David Belasco play
Butterfly appears with her relatives and friends, joyous and radiant. Following introductions, the marriage contract is drawn, witnessed, and signed. The crowd is toasting the couple’s happiness when Cio-Cio San’s name is ominously shouted by her uncle, a fanatical Buddhist priest. He storms in, cursing Butterfly for betraying her faith and people to marry the American. Pinkerton confronts him while her relatives renounce the young girl, leaving her in tears. Pinkerton, touched by her weeping and anguish, consoles her, and Act I ends with a moving love duet. 
Goro and Sharpless enter and Butterfly greets the Consul joyously, never suspecting that he has come to inform her of Pinkerton’s marriage to an American wife. The Consul fails in his mission, unable to deliver his message in the face of Butterfly’s unwavering trust. Goro attempts to interest her in Yamadori, a rich suitor, but Butterfly declares proudly that she is already married. Sharpless attempts to get her to face the facts by asking what she would do if Pinkerton never returned. After a moment of shock, she replies that she would prefer to die. Suddenly, she brings her child to Sharpless. She informs him that her husband does not know this news but she insists that when he does, he will hasten to return. Sharpless promises her that Pinkerton will be told and leaves. Soon after, a distant canon announces the arrival of Pinkerton’s warship, the Abraham Lincoln. Butterfly, ecstatic with anticipation, hurries to prepare for her beloved’s arrival. With all in readiness, Butterfly, Suzuki, and the child peer out into the deepening darkness, waiting for the arrival of Pinkerton. As night comes, first the child, then Suzuki fall asleep, but Butterfly, rigid and silent, holds her vigil. 
Knocks on the door announce the arrival of Sharpless and, to Suzuki’s astonishment, Pinkerton. But Suzuki’s suspicions are confirmed as she discovers the awful truth of Pinkerton’s American marriage and the reason for his visit to their house: to take his son back to America. As the three discuss the situation, Pinkerton begins to comprehend the full measure of pain and anguish for which he alone is responsible. He cannot remain to face the unsuspecting Butterfly with his dreadful confession and leaves Sharpless to settle the matter.
