Study Guide
Study Guide Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Beginner's Guide to Opera
- Who's Who At the Opera
- The Lyric Opera House
- BOC Education Programs
- A Bibliography of Selected Readings
- Education Resources
2007-2008 SEASON
2006-2007 SEASON
2005-2006 SEASON
2004-2005 SEASON
2003-2004 SEASON
2002-2003 SEASON
PREVIOUS OPERAS
Madama Butterfly
Opera in three acts
Music:
Giacomo Puccini (Gah-eh-COH-moh Pooch-EE-nee)
b. 23 December, 1858; Tuscany, Italy
d. 29 November, 1924; Brussels, Belgium
Libretto:
Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Madame Butterfly by David Belasco.
In turn based on a Short Story by John Luther Long
Premiere:
17 February, 1904; Milan, Italy
Principal Characters:
| Cio-cio san (CHOH-Choh-SAN) A young geisha girl of a noble family | Soprano |
| Pinkerton (Pronounced as in English) lieutenant in the US Navy | Tenor |
| Suzuki (Soo-TSOO-kee) Butterfly's maid | Mezzo soprano |
| Sharpless (Pronounced as in English) American Consul | Baritone |
| Goro (GOH-roh) A Marriage broker | Tenor |
| Yamadori (Yah-mah-DOH-ree) A Japanese Prince | Baritone |
| Lo Zio Bonzo (Loh-TSEE-oh BOHN-Tsoh) Butterfly's Uncle, a Buddhist Priest | Basso profundo |
| Kate Pinkerton (Pronounced as in English) Pinkerton's American Wife | Mezzo soprano |
Madama Butterfly (Mah-DAH-mah Butterfly) takes place in Nagasaki, Japan towards the end of the 19th century.