By Lina Broydo
Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” Dazzles in San Jose!
Now through November 30, 2025
An absolutely amazing and mesmerizing production (and not to be missed!!) is currently in the repertoire of Opera San Jose! Not a dry eye in the audience. A special exhibit by the “Kimono Club of San Jose” adds a touch of artistry to this spectacular experience of listening and viewing one of the most famous operas in the world. The architecturally stunning California Theatre (located in Downtown San Jose) is a perfect setting for this opera.)
Under the brilliant baton of Maestro Joseph Marcheso the sounds of the SJ Opera Orchestra create a marvelous musical ambience for the talented and magnificent cast of Emily Michiko Jensen, Kaylo Nanto and Christopher Oglesby in lead roles, who convey the very sad love story.
“MADAMA BUTTERFLY” Opera in Three Acts. Music by Giacomo Puccini. First performed February 17, 1904 at La Scala in Milan, Italy.
ACT 1: In 1926 Trouble, the grown son of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly) and Lieutenant Pinkerton, returns to Nagasaki seeking the truth about his Mother. He finds Old Suzuki who begins to recount the story. The scene shifts back to 1903: Lieutenant Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy leases a house on a hill overlooking Nagasaki, arranged by the marriage broker complete with servants and a young bride Cio Cio San, an 18-year old geisha who treats the marriage very seriously even converting to Christianity to be closer to her new husband, while Pinkerton treated the marriage as a temporary amusement before he returns to America.
ACT 2: Spring of 1906: Cio-Cio San still waits faithfully for Pinkerton’s return in hope he will meet his son. As the cannon booms from the harbor announcing the arrival of the ship Abraham Lincoln – Pinkerton’s vessel. Overjoyed, Butterfly and Suziki cook and decorate the house with flowers, preparing with anticipation. As night falls, Butterfly keeps an anxious vigil watching the harbor until she finally collapses from exhaustion.
ACT 3: At dawn while Cio-Cio San was resting in her bedroom Pinkerton arrives with his now American wife Kate to the dismay of Suzuki who realizes the truth. Pinkerton, overcome with guilt and shame and not able to face Butterfly, flees. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Butterfly agrees to give up her son so he can have a better life in America. After a tender farewell Butterfly blindfolds her child and stabs herself.
Epilogue, 1926: Back in 1926.
Trouble listens in silence as Old Suzuki finishes the story.
He finally understands the depth of his Mother’s love and the tragedy of her faith in a promise never kept.
***** Advice from the author:
Planning to travel to Italy? Stop over to visit the composer’s home located in Torre del Lago, a town by the beautiful Lago di Puccini in Tuscany. An annual Puccini Festival is a must!
Information
For tickets visit operasj.org
California Theatre, Downtown San Jose
Photos courtesy of Opera SJ and Lina Broydo
