Skip to content

'Madama Butterfly' running at Creston library

"Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini will be shown at Creston Valley Public Library Nov. 21...

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of the next opera showing at the Creston Valley Public Library has been moved forward by one week and is now scheduled for Nov. 21. Now for the good news:Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini will still be shown.

Cio-Cio-san, or Butterfly, is Japanese and falls in love with an American Navy lieutenant, Pinkerton. A marriage ceremony takes place in Japan despite adverse warnings from the U.S. consul. According to Japanese law, Pinkerton can annul the marriage at will. Butterfly is 15 and her family renounces her. As she weeps, Pinkerton comforts her and Act 1 ends with a touching love scene.

Act 2 depicts Butterfly discussing their dire financial straits with her faithful maid, Suzuki. The U.S. consul attempts to persuade Butterfly to accept the marriage proposal of the wealthy Prince Yamadori. Butterfly remains steadfast in her love for Pinkerton and reveals that a son has been born from their union. She sings one of opera’s most beautiful arias, “One Fine Day”. Meanwhile, Pinkerton has annulled his marriage to Butterfly and taken an American wife. The conclusion is very sad.

Madama Butterfly is based on a story written in 1898 by John Luther Long. In 1900, a play by Peter Belasco was seen in New York and London, where Puccini saw it. His opera premiered Feb. 17, 1904, at La Scala in Milan, Italy, but rehearsal time had been inadequate and it was poorly received, but found success after Puccini revised the score.

Madama Butterfly begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 21. All are welcome and there is no charge. There are plans to show The Nutcracker Dec 12. For details, call Julie at 250-428-7097.

—BY JULIE EWASHEN