Madama Butterfly

Atto Primo

Act One

Pinkerton: E soffitto....e pareti....

And the ceiling.and the walls.

Goro: Vanno e vengono a prova a norma che vi

giova nello stesso locale alternar nuovi aspetti ai
consueti.

They can be moved around however you like

so that you can alternate the room design
whenever you need a change of scenery.

Pinkerton: Il nido nuzal dov?

Where is the nuptial nest?

Goro: Qui, o l....secondo...

Here or there.wherever you want it to be.

Pinkerton: Anchesso a doppio fondo! La sala?

This one is also double-bottomed! Where is the

living room?

Goro: Ecco!

Here!

Pinkerton: Allaperto?

In the open?

Goro: Un fianco scorre....

One side glides.

Pinkerton: Capisco!....capisco!....Un altro....

I understand. I get it! Another one.

Goro: Scivola!

It slides!

Pinkerton: E la dimora frivola....

and the frivolous dwelling.

Goro: Salda come una torre da terra, fino al tetto.

As firm as a tower from the earth to the roof.

Pinkerton: una casa a soffietto.

Its more of an accordion than a house.

Goro: Questa la cameriera che della vostra sposa

This is the maid who is already a faithful servant
fu gi serva amorosa. Il cuoco....il servitor. Son confusi of your wife. The cook.the houseboy. Theyre
del grande onore.
confused by the great honor.
Pinkerton: I nomi?

Their names?

Goro: Miss Nuvola leggiera. Raggio di sol nascente.

Esala aromi.

Miss Light Cloud. The houseboyThe First

Light of Dawn. And the cook.Mr. Emits Pleasant
Aromas.

Pinkerton: Nomi di scherno o scherzo. Io li chiamer:

musi! Muso primo, secondo, e muso terzo.

Names of mockery or ridicule. I will call them

mugs. First Mug, Second, and Third Mug.

Suzuki: Sorride Vostro Onore? Il riso frutto e fiore.

Disse il savio Ocunama: dei crucci la trama smaglia il
sorriso. Schiude alla perla il guscio, apre alluomo
luscio del Paradiso. Profumo degli Dei...Fontana della
vita...Disse il savio Ocunama: dei crucci la trama
smaglia il sorriso.

Is Your Honor smiling? A smile is fruit and

flower. The sage Okunama said, A smile
can unravel a web of worries. The shell opens
to reveal a pearl, the entrance of Paradise
opens to man. Perfume of the gods.fountain
of life.The sage Okunama said, A smile
can unravel a web of worries.

Pinkerton: A chiacchiere costei mi par cosmopolita.

Che guardi?

She seems to be quite cosmopolitan, the way

she chatters on and on. What are you looking for?

Goro: Se non giunge ancor la sposa.

To see if your bride is coming.

Pinkerton: Tutto pronto?

Is everything ready?

Goro: Ogni cosa.

Everything!

Pinkerton: Gran perla di sensale!

You are a pearl of a broker!

Goro: Qui verran: lUfficiale del registro, i parenti,

il vostro Console, la fidanzata. Qui si firma latto e
il matrimonio fatto.

Heres who is coming today: the Registry

Official, the relatives, your Consul, the fiance.
You sign the contract and the marriage is
official.

Pinkerton: E son molti i parenti?

And are there many relatives?

Goro: La suocera, la nonna, lo zio Bonzo (che non ci

degner di sua presenza) e cugini, e le cugine....
Mettiam fra gli ascendenti....ed i collaterali, un due
dozzine. Quanto alla discendenza... provvederanno
assai Vostra Grazia e la bella Butterfly.

The mother-in-law, the grandmother, the uncle

Bonze (who will not honor us with his presence),
and male cousins and female cousins.Lets
say between the ancestors and the collaterals,
almost two dozen. As for the descendants.
Your Grace and the lovely Butterfly will provide
plenty of those.

Pinkerton: Gran perla di sensale!

You are a pearl of a broker!

Sharpless: E suda e arrampica! sbuffa, inciampica!

You sweat and climb! Huff and puff and stumble!

Goro: Il Consol sale.

Your Consul is coming up the hill.

Sharpless: Ah!....quei ciottoli mi hanno sfiaccato!

Ah! Those pebbles have worn me out!

Pinkerton: Bene arrivato.

Welcome!

Goro: Bene arrivato.

Welcome!

Sharpless: Ouff!

Ouff!

Pinkerton: Presto Goro qualche ristoro.

Quickly Goro. Some refreshments.

Sharpless: Alto.

Its quite a hike up here.

Pinkerton: Ma bello!

But beautiful!

Sharpless: Nagasaki, il mare, il porto...

Nagasaki, the sea, the port.

Pinkerton: e una casetta che obbedisce a bacchetta.

and a house that is obedient to a magic wand.

Sharpless: Vostra?

Is it yours?

Pinkerton: La comperai per novecentonovantanove

I have brought it for 999 years, with the right, each
anni, con facolt, ogni mese, di rescindere i patti. Sono month, to annul the pact. In this country both
in questo paese elastici del par, case e contratti.
houses and contracts are elastic.
Sharpless: E luomo esperto ne profitta.

And an expert man profits from it.

Pinkerton: Certo.
Dovunque al mondo lo Yankee vagabondo si gode
e traffica sprezzando rischi. Affonda lncora alla

Certainly.
Wherever he goes in the world, the Yankee
vagabond enjoys himself and trades, despising

ventura....Milk-Punch, o Wisky? Affonda lncora alla

ventura finch una raffica scompigli nave e ormeggi,
alberatura. La vita ei non appaga se non fa suo tesor
i fiori dogni plaga,...

the risks. He drops anchor to encounter

adventure.Milk-Punch or Whisky? He drops
anchor to encounter adventure until a squall
buffets the ship and the mooring, the masts. Life
is not satisfying to him if he does not make the
most beautiful flowers of every land his treasure.

Sharpless: un facile vangelo...

Its a happy-go-lucky gospel.

Pinkerton: .dogni bella gli amor.

And he must make love to every beautiful woman.

Sharpless: un facile vangelo che fa la vita vaga

ma che intristisce il cor.

Thats a happy-go-lucky gospel that makes for a

pleasant life but which saddens the heart.

Pinkerton: Vinto si tuffa, la sorte racciuffa. Il suo

talento fa in ogni dove. Cos mi sposo alluso
giapponese per novecento novantanove anni.
Salvo a prosciogliermi ogni mese.

When overcome, he jumps overboard, abandons

ship, and tries his luck again, knowing that his
talent will serve him wherever he goes. Thus, Im
getting married in the Japanese custom for 999
years. Except that I can free myself each month.

Sharpless un facile vangelo.

Its a happy-go-lucky gospel.

Pinkerton: America for ever!

America forever!

Sharpless: America for ever!

America forever!

Sharpless: Ed bella la sposa?

And is the bride beautiful?

Goro: Una ghirlanda di fiori freschi. Una stella dai

raggi doro. E per nulla: sol cento yen. Se Vostra
Grazia mi comanda ce nho un assortimento.

She is a garland of fresh flowers. A star with

golden beams shining forth. And for nothing:
only 100 yen. If your Grace commands me, I
have a whole assortment of them.

Pinkerton: Va, conducila Goro.

Go! Lead her here, Goro!

Sharpless: Quale smania vi prende! Sareste

addirittura cotto?

What madness has overwhelmed you! Are you

really cooked?

Pinkerton: Non so!...non so! Dipende dal grado di

cottura! Amore o grillo, dir non saprei. Certo costei
mha collingenue arti invescato. Lieve qual tenue
vetro soffiato alla statura, al portamento sembra
figura da paravento. Ma dal suo lucido fondo di lacca
come con subito moto si stacca, qual farfalletta
svolazza e posa con tal grazietta silenzosa che di
rincorrerla furor massale se pure infrangerne dovessi
lale.

I dont know! I dont know! It depends on the

cooking temperature, whether Im cooked or not.
I cant really say whether or not this is love or
just a whim. She has certainly enticed me with
her ingenuous arts. Light as tenuous blown
glass in her stature, in her bearing she seems
like a figure from a gossamer screen. But from
her shining lacquer background, how, with a
sudden murmur, she detaches herself, like a little
butterfly she flutters and lands with such silent
petite gracefulness that a fury to chase after her
overwhelms me, even if doing so would shatter
her wings.

Sharpless: Ier laltro, il Consolato sen venne a visitar!

Io non la vidi, ma ludii parlar. Di sua voce il mistero
lanima mi colp. Certo quando sincer lamor parla
cos. Sarebbe gran peccato le lievi ali strappar e
desolar forse un credulo cuor.

Day before yesterday, she came to visit the

Consulate! I did not see her, but I heard her
speaking. The mystery in her voice struck my
soul. Certainly it is a sincere lover that speaks
like that. It would be a great sin to tear those light
wings apart and perhaps desolate a trusting heart.

Pinkerton Console mio garbato, quetatevi! Si sa,

la vostra et di flebile umor. Non c gran male
sio vo quellale drizzare ai dolci voli dellamor!

My courteous Consul, take it easy. Everyone

knows that your age is of a feeble humour.
Theres no great harm if I want to erect those
wings to sweet flights of love.

Sharpless: Sarebbe gran peccato.Quella divina

mite vocina non dovrebbe dar note di dolor.

It would be a great sin.that divine soft voice

must never utter notes of sadness.

Pinkerton: Wiskey?

Whiskey?

Sharpless: Unaltro bicchiere.

Ill have another one.

Sharpless: Bevo alla vostra famiglia lontana.

I toast your family far away.

Pinkerton: E al giorno in cui mi sposer con vere

nozze, a una vera sposa....americana.

And to the day when Ill have a real wedding.

to a real bride.an American.

Goro: Ecco! Son giunte al sommo del pendo. Gi

del femmmineo sciame qual di vento in fogliame
sode il bruso.

Theyre here. Theyve arrived at the summit of

the slope. You can already hear the buzz of the
feminine swarm like the wind in foliage.

Le Amiche di Butterfly: Ah! ah! ah!

Quanto cielo! Quanto mar!

The Friends of Butterfly: Ah!

Oh how the big sky meets the vast sea!

Butterfly: Ancora un passo or via.

One more step, come now.

Le Amiche: Come sei tarda!

How slow you are!

Butterfly: Aspetta.

Wait.

Le Amiche: Ecco la vetta. Guarda, guarda quanti fior!

Heres the peak. Look, look there are so many

flowers!

Butterfly: Spira sul mare e sulla terra un primaveril

soffio giocondo.

A joyful breath of springtime wafts over earth and

sea.

Sharpless: O allegro cinguettar di giovent!

Oh happy chirping of youth!

Butterfly: Io sono la fanciulla pi lieta del Giappone,

anzi del mondo. Amiche, io son venuta al richiamo
damor nelle gaudiose soglie ove saccoglie il bene di
chi vive e di chi muor.

I am the happiest girl in all of Japan, rather in all

the world. My friends, I have come at the call of
love. I come to the threshold of love, where the
greatness of those who live and those who die is
gathered. I have come at the call of love.

Le Amiche: Gioia a te, gioia a te sia dolce amica,

ma pria di varcar la soglia che ti attira volgiti indietro
e mira le cose tutte che ti son s care,

Joy to you, may joy be yours, gentle friend, but

before crossing the threshold that draws you to it,
turn back and look at the things that are dear to
you.

Butterfly: Siam giunte. B. F. Pinkerton. Gi.

We have arrived. B. F. Pinkerton. Down.

Le Amiche: Gi.

Down.

Butterfly: Gran ventura.

Great fortune.

Le Amiche: Riverenza.

Reverence.

Pinkerton: un po dura la scalata?

Was the climb up the hill a bit difficult?

Butterfly: A una sposa costumata pi penosa

limpazienza... .

To a well-mannered bride the impatience is

more painful.

Pinkerton: Molto raro complimento.

What a rare compliment.

Butterfly: Dei pi belli ancor ne so.

I know others even more beautiful.

Pinkerton: Dei gioielli!

What jewels!

Butterfly: Se vi caro sul momento....

If you would like this very moment.

Pinkerton: Grazie... no.

Thank you.no.

Sharpless: Miss Butterfly. Bel nome, vi sta a

meraviglia. Siete di Nagasaki?

Miss Butterfly. Beautiful name. It suits you

perfectly. Are you from Nagasaki?

Butterfly: Signor s. Di famiglia assai prospera un

Tempo. Verit?

Yes, sir. From a family that was once very

prosperous. Is that not true?

Le Amiche: Verit!

Thats true!

Butterfly: Nessuno si confessa mai nato in povert,

non c vagabondo che a sentirlo non sia di gran
prosapia. Eppur conobbi la ricchezza. Ma il turbine
rovescia le quercie pi robuste... e abbiam fatto la
ghescia per sostentarci. Vero?

No one ever admits that they were born into

poverty; there is no vagabond that to hear him talk
does not claim to have an impressive lineage. And
yet I knew wealth. But the whirlwind knocks down
the sturdiest oaks.and we became Geishas to
support ourselves. Is that not right?

Le Amiche: Vero!

Yes!

Butterfly: Non lo nascondo, n madonto.

Ridete? Perch?... Cose del mondo.

I dont hide it nor am I ashamed because of it.

Youre laughing? Why?....Thats how things go.

Pinkerton: (Con quel fare di bambola quando parla

minfiamma...)

(With that doll-like murmur when she speaks she

sets me aflame.)

Sharpless: E ci avete sorelle?

And do you have sisters?

Butterfly: Non signore. Ho la mamma.

No sir. I have my mother.

Goro: Una nobile dama.

A noble lady.

Butterfly: Ma senza farle torto povera molto anchessa. But without doing her wrong she is also very poor.
Sharpless: E vostro padre?

And your father?

Butterfly: Morto.

Dead.

Butterfly: Ma ho degli altri parenti: uno zio Bonzo.

But I have some other relatives: an uncle who is

a Bonze.

Pinkerton: Senti!

Well, listen to that!

Le Amiche: Un mostro di sapienza.

A genius of sacred wisdom.

Goro: Un fiume deloquenza!

A stream of eloquence!

Pinkerton: Grazia, grazia, mio Dio!

Oh my God, thats great!

Butterfly: Ci ho ancora unaltro zio! Ma quello....

I also have another uncle! But that one

Le Amiche: Gran corbello!

Hes a buffoon!

Butterfly: Ha un po la testa a zonzo.

Hes a little absent-minded.

Le Amiche: Perpetuo tavernaio.

Hes always drunk.

Pinkerton: Capisco, un Bonzo e un gonzo. I due mi

fanno il paio.

I understand, a monk and a drunk! They make a

perfect pair.

Butterfly: Ve ne rincresce?

Does that offend you?

Pinkerton: Ohib! Per quel che me ne fo!

Oh dear! I dont give a fig about that!

Sharpless: Quant anni avete?

How old are you?

Butterfly: Indovinate.

Guess.

Sharpless: Dieci.

Ten.

Butterfly: Crescete.

Higher.

Sharpless: Venti.

Twenty.

Butterfly: Calate. Quindici netti, netti; sono vecchia

diggi.

Lower. Fifteen, fifteen exactly. Im already old!

Sharpless: Quindici anni!

Fifteen years old!

Pinkerton: Quindici anni!

Fifteen years old!

Sharpless: Let dei giuochi....

The age for games.

Pinkerton: e dei confetti.

And wedding cake.

Pinkerton: Qua i tre musi. Servite ragni e mosche

candite. Nidi al giulebbe e quale licor pi indigesto
e pi nauseabonda leccorna della Nipponera.

Come here you three mugs. Serve up spiders and

candied flies. Nests of mint julep and a liquor
even more indigestible and the most nauseating
delicacies of the Japanese custom.

Goro: LImperial Commissario, lUfficiale del registro,

i congiunti.

The Imperial Commissioner, the Registry Official,

The relatives.

Pinkerton: Fate presto.

Get this over with quickly.

Pinkerton: Che burletta la sfilata della nova parentela,

tolta in prestito, a mesata,

What a burlesque this parade of my new

relatives, taken in loan by the month.

Parenti ed Amiche: Dov?

Relatives and Friends: Where is he?

Butterfly, Parenti ed Amiche: Eccolo l!

There he is!

Una Cugina: Bello non .

A cousin: Hes truly not handsome.

Parenti ed Amici: Bello non . In verit, bello non .

Hes truly not handsome.

Pinkerton: Certo dietro a quella vela di ventaglio

pavonazzo, la mia suocera si cela.

Certainly my mother-in-law is hiding behind that

sail of a purple fan.

Butterfly: Bello cos che non si pu....sognar di pi.

Hes more handsome than you could ever dream

of.

Parenti ed Amiche: Vale un per.

Hes as rich as a Peruvian King!

La Madre: Mi pare un re!

He seems to be a king!

Cugina: Goro offr pur anco a me, ma sebbe un no!

Goro also offered him to me, but I said no.

Butterfly: Si,.. giusto tu!

Yes.you of all people!

Pinkerton: E quel coso da strapazzo lo zio briaco

e pazzo.

And that worthless whats-his-name whos the

crazy uncle.

Parenti, Amici, ed Amiche: Ecco, perch prescelta

fu, vuol far con te la soprappi.

There, because she was the chosen one she

wants to act high and mighty toward you.

Parenti ed Amiche: La sua belt gi disfior.

Her beauty has already faded.

Parenti, Amici, ed Amiche: Divorzier.

She will divorce.

Cugina, Parenti ed Amiche: Spero di s.

I hope so.

Goro: Per carit tacete un po.

For goodness sake, quiet down at little!

Lo Zio Yakusid: Vino ce n?

Is there any wine?

La Madre e La Zia: Guardiamo un po.

Lets look around a bit.

Parenti ed Amiche: Ne vidi gi color di th, color

di th e chermis!

I saw some already the color of tea and crimson.

Sharpless: O amico fortunato!

O my fortunate friend!

Pinkerton: S, vero, un fiore, un fiore!

Yes, Its true shes a flower, a flower!

Sharpless: O fortunato Pinkerton.

O fortunate Pinkerton.

Pinkerton: Lesotico suo odore.

Her exotic scent.

Sharpless: che in sorte v toccato.

since fate has blessed you.

Parenti ed Amiche e la Madre: Non avrei risposto no! I would not have answered no!
Pinkerton: mha il cervello sconvolto.

has my mind turned upside down.

Sharpless: un fior pur or sbocciato!

with a flower that has just blossomed

Sharpless: Non pi bella e dassai fanciulla io vidi mai

di questa Butterfly. E se a voi sembran scede il patto
e la sua fede..

Ive never seen a girl more beautiful than this

Butterfly. And if this part and her trust seem like
joking to you

Parenti ed Amiche e la Cugina: Senza tanto ricercar

Without much looking I can find much better and

io ne trovo dei miglior, e gli dir un bel no.

Ill tell him a great big no!

Parenti ed Amiche e la Madre: No, mia cara, non

mi par, davvero un gran signor, n gli direi di no,
n mai direi di no, di no!

No, my dear, it does not seem that way to me. He

is truly quite a gentleman.

Butterfly: Badate, attenti a me.

Listen to me, pay attention to me.

Pinkerton: S, vero, un fiore, un fiore, e in fede

mia lho colto!

Yes, its true, shes a flower and by God, Ive

picked her!

Sharpless: badate!... Ella ci crede...

Look out!....She believes all of this is real.

Butterfly: Mamma, vien qua. Badate a me: attenti,

ors, uno, due, tre e tutti gi.

Mama, come here. Come now, listen to me.

One, two, three and now everyone down.

Goro: Qui signor Ufficial. E qui Eccellenza. Ho la

dolce incombenza desprimervi non gi col parlar
vano ma... alluso americano grata intenzon del qui
presente... signor Luogotenente.

Please stand here Registrar. And here, Mr.

Commissioner. I have the pleasant task of
expressing to you with not just hollow words.
but in the American way, Mr. Lieutenant wants to
show his gratitude for your being here.

Commissario Imperiale, Ufficiale: Ottimamente.

Very well.

Parenti ed Amici, la Madre, la Cugina, e Yakusid:

Facciamo un inchino profondo.

We bow deeply to you.

Pinkerton: Profondo vi rendo linchino.

And I in return bow deeply to you.

Parenti ed Amici, la Madre, la Cugina, e Yakusid:

E noi ne facciamo un secondo.

And we bow a second time to you.

Pinkerton: La stessa moneta vi do.

And I repay you likewise.

Parenti ed Amici, la Madre, la Cugina, e Yakusid:

Giammai non daremo al divino tuo merto condegna
onoranza.

We will never give appropriate honor to your devine

being.

Pinkerton: Ammiro la vostra costanza, ma il dorso

curvar pi non so.

I admire your constancy, but I cant bend my

back anymore.

Butterfly: Mia madre.

This is my mother.

Pinkerton: Assai felice.

Very happy to meet you.

La Madre: Vostra Grazia ha lo splendor del giglio.

Your Lordship has the splendor of a lily.

Butterfly: Mia cugina e suo figlio.

My cousin and her son.

Pinkerton: Ben piantato... promette...

What a strapping boyhes promising.

La Cugina: Che si dice?

What do you say?

Il Bimbo: Eccellenza...

Excellency

Butterfly: Lo zio Yakusid.

Uncle Yakuside.

Pinkerton: quello?....Ah! ah!

Hes that one? Ha! Ha!

Yakusid: Eh! Eh! Eh! Eh! Salute agli avi, gloriose gesta. Hail to your ancestors and their glorious deeds.
Parenti ed Amici: Buona vista ai tuoi occhi.

May your vision always be clear.

Parenti ed Amici: Buona pianelle ai piedi.

May your path always be smooth.

Pinkerton: Dio, come son sciocchi!

My God, what a bunch of imbeciles!

Sharpless: Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, Sua

Grazia il Commissario Imperiale.

Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, His Lordship the

Imperial Commissioner.

Commissario: Takasago.

My name is Takasago.

Sharpless: Dello Stato Civil lUfficiale.

This is the Civil Registrar for the State.

LUfficiale: Hanako.

Mr. Hanako.

Pinkerton: Allamor mio! Vi spiacciono i confetti?

For my love. Dont you like these wedding

candies?

Butterfly: Signor B. F. Pinkerton....Io vorrei....pochi

oggetti da donna...

Mr. B. F. Pinkerton. Pardon me. I would

like to have a few womans objects.

Pinkerton: Dove sono?

Where are they?

Butterfly: Sono qui....vi dispiace?

They are here.do you mind?

Pinkerton: O perch mai, mia bella Butterfly!?

O why should I mind, my beautiful Butterfly?

Butterfly: Fazzoletti. La pipa. Una cintura. Un piccolo

fermaglio. Uno specchio. Un ventaglio.

Handkerchiefs. My pipe. A sash. A little

brooch. A mirror. A fan.

Pinkerton: Quel barattolo?

Whats that jar?

Butterfly: Un vaso di tintura.

A jar of rouge.

Pinkerton: Ohib!

Oh dear!

Butterfly Vi spiace? Via!

You dont like it? Away with it!

Pinkerton: E quello?

And whats that?

Butterfly: Cosa sacra e mia.

Something that is mine and sacred.

Pinkerton: E non si pu vedere?

And no one can see it?

Butterfly: C troppa gente. Perdonate.

There are too many people here. Forgive me.

Goro: un presente del Mikado a suo padre...

collinvito...

(aside to Pinkerton) Its a present from the Mikado

to her father.with the invitation.

Pinkerton: E....suo padre?

And her father?

Goro: Ha obbedito.

He obeyed.

Butterfly: Gli Ottok.

The Hotoki.

Pinkerton: Quei pupazzi? Avete detto?

Those puppets? What did you call them?

Butterfly: Son lanime degli avi.

They are the souls of my ancestors.

Pinkerton: Ah!... il mio rispetto.

Ah! My respects.

Butterfly: Ieri son salita tutta sola in secreto alla

Missione. Colla nuova mia vita posso adottare nuova
religione. Dirvi ben non saprei se del bene o del mal
chiaro discerno: noi preghiam mille Dei, voi pregate
un sol Dio grande ed eterno. Lo zio Bonzo nol sa, n
i miei lo sanno, n i miei lo sanno. Io seguo il mio
destino e piena dumilt al Dio del signor Pinkerton
minchino. mio destino. Per me spendeste cento yen,
ma vivr con molta economia. E per farvi contento
potr quasi obliar la gente mia. E questi via!

Yesterday I went up all alone, in secret, to the

Mission. With my new life I am able to adopt a new
religion. I dont know how to really say what is
right or wrong: we pray to a thousand gods, you
pray to one great and eternal god. My Bonze
uncle does not know about this, neither does my
family. I follow my destiny and full of humility, I
bow before the god of Mr. Pinkerton. It is my
destiny. You paid 100 yen for me, but I will live
very economically. And to make you happy, I will
almost be able to forget my people. And away
with these!

Goro: Tutti zitti!

Everyone quiet!

Commissario: concesso al nominato Benjamin

Franklin Pinkerton, Luogotenente nella cannoniera
Lincoln, marina degli Stati Uniti America del Nord:
ed alla damigella Butterfly del quartiere
dOmara-Nagasaki, dunirsi in matrimonio, per dritto
il primo, della propria volont, ed ella...

It is permitted to the named Benjamin Franklin

Pinkerton, Lieutenant of the gunboat Lincoln, from
the Navy of the United States of America: and to
the damsel Butterfly of the Omara district,
Nagasaki, to be united in matrimony, the first
named by the right of his own free will and she

La Cugina: Non ti conduco pi, non ti conduco pi.

I wont take you anywhere ever again!

Commissario: ed ella per consenso dei parenti qui

testimon allatto.

and she by the consent of her relatives who are

here to witness the ceremony.

Goro: Lo sposo. Poi la sposa. E tutto fatto.

The groom. Then the bride. And all is done.

Le Amiche: Madama Butterfly!

Madame Butterfly!

Butterfly: Madama F. B. Pinkerton.

Madame B. F. Pinkerton!

Commissario: Augur molti.

Best wishes.

Pinkerton: I miei ringraziamenti.

My thanks.

Commissario: Il signor Console scende?

Is the Consul going back down the hill?

Sharpless: Laccompagno.

Ill accompany you.

Pinkerton: A meraviglia.

Marvelous.

Ufficiale: Posterit.

Posterity.

Pinkerton: Mi prover.

Ill certainly do my best.

Sharpless: Giudizio!

Keep a sense of proportion!

Pinkerton: (Ed eccoci in famiglia. Sbrighiamoci al pi

presto e in modo onesto). Qua, signor Zio. Ah, ah,
il bicchiere della staffa.

(And here we are with just the family. Lets get

this over with as fast as possible and in a decent
way.) Here, my dear uncle. One for the road.

10

Yakusid: Magari due dozzine!

Maybe two dozen!

Pinkerton: E allora la caraffa.

Well then take the carafe.

Amici e Parenti: Il beone!

The drunkard!

Yakusid: Bevi il tuo Saki e a Dio piega il ginocchio.

Drink your Sake and kneel to God.

Pinkerton: La suocera...

Mother-in-law, may I offer you a drink.

Butterfly: Non beve.

She does not drink.

Pinkerton: Le cugine, le amiche,... due confetti e un

bicchier di Porto.

My cousins, and friends, some wedding candies

and a glass of port.

Yakusid: Con piacere!

With pleasure!

Goro: Piano, signore, signore, piano! chegli berrebbe

il gran padre oceno!

Easy sir, easy please! He could drink up the

entire ocean!

Pinkerton: A te marmocchio; spalanca le tue

maniche e insacca, insacca chicche e pasticci a
macca. Ip! Ip!

Here you little brat; open your sleeves and stuff

them full of sweet candies and pastries. Hip! Hip!

Coro: O Kami! O Kami!

O Spirits of Nature!

Pinkerton: Beviamo ai novissimi legami.

We drink and toast our new bonds.

La Cugina, La Madre: Beviamo, beviamo!

Lets drink, lets drink!

Butterfly: lora del tramonto...

It is the hour of sunset.

Pinkerton: Zio, voglio una canzone...

Uncle, I want a song.

Yakusid: Eccomi pronto.

Here I am. Im ready.

Yakusid: Allombra dun Kek sul Nunki-NunkoYama, il d del Gosek quante fanciulle belle, sul
Nunki-Nunko-Yama, il d del Gosek!... Gosek!
Gosek! Vi piace?

In the shade of a Keki on the Nunki-Nunki-Yama

the day of Goseki, how many beautiful girls, on
the Nunki-Nunki-Yama, on the day of Goseki!
Do you like it?

Pinkerton: Commovente. Va, ripiglia.

Very moving! Go ahead, sing some more.

Yakusid: ..la bottiglia!

(repeating his song)..the bottle!

Lo Zio Bonzo: Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san! Abbominazione! Cio-cio-san! What an abomination!

Butterfly, Coro: Lo zio Bonzo!

The uncle Bonze!

Goro: Un corno al guastafeste! Chi ci leva dintorno

le persone moleste?!

Youve got to be joking, not this party-killer! Who

will ever get these annoying people out of our
village?

Bonzo: Cio-cio-san! Cio-cio-san!

Cio-cio-san!

Bonzo: Che hai tu fatto alla Missione?

What did you do at the mission?

11

Coro e la Cugina: Rispondi, Cio-cio-san!

Answer, Cio-cio-san!

Pinkerton: Che mi strilla quel matto?

What is that madman screaming at me?

Bonzo: Rispondi, che hai tu fatto?

Answer, what did you do?

Bonzo: Come, hai tu gli occhi asciutti? Son dunque

questi i frutti? Ci ha rinnegato tutti!

How is it that your eyes are dry? Do they reflect

the betrayal of our culture? She has renounced
all of us!

Bonzo: Rinnegato, vi dico,... il culto antico.

Renounced, I tell youthe ancient culture.

Bonzo: Kami sarundasico! Allanima tua guasta qual

supplizio sovrasta!

Oh Earth Spirits, Sarutahiko, bring down your wrath

on this apostate! What torment hangs over your
rotten, corrupted soul!

Pinkerton: Ehi, dico: basta, basta!

Hey, I say: Thats enough, shut up!

Bonzo: Venite tutti. Andiamo! Ci hai rinnegato e noi... Come on everybody. Were going!
Yakusid e Bonzo, Coro e Cugina: Ti rinneghiamo!

You have renounced us and we renounce you!

Pinkerton: Sbarazzate allistante. In casa mia niente

baccano e niente bonzeria.

Clear out of here instantly. In my house there will

be none of this ridiculous bluster and none of your
bonze bogeyman nonsense.

Pinkerton: Bimba, bimba, non piangere per

gracchiar di ranocchi...

Sweet little girl, gentle child, dont let those

croaking frogs make you cry.

Butterfly: Urlano ancor!

Theyre still shrieking!

Pinkerton: Tutta la tua trib e i Bonzi tutti del Giappon

non valgono il pianto di quegli occhi cari e belli.

Your entire tribe and all the Bonzes of Japan are

not worth the weeping of those dear, beautiful
eyes.

Butterfly: Davver? Non piango pi. E quasi del

ripudio non mi duole per le vostre parole che mi
suonan cos dolci nel cor.

Really? I wont cry anymore. And their rejection

almost does not bother me because your words
resonate so sweetly in my heart.

Pinkerton: Che fai?... la man?

What are you doing?.Kissing my hand?

Butterfly: Mhan detto che laggi fra la gente

costumata questo il segno del maggior rispetto.

I have been told that in your distant country among

well-bred people it is the sign of greatest respect.

Suzuki: E Izaghi ed Izanami sarundasico, e Kami,

e Izaghi ed Izanami, sarundasico, e Kami.

And Izanagi and Izanami, Sarutahiko and you

spirits of nature, hear me.

Pinkerton: Chi brontola l fuor?

Who is muttering out there?

Butterfly: Suzuki che fa la sua preghiera seral.

Its Suzuki saying her nightly prayers.

Pinkerton: Viene la sera.

Evening is falling.

Butterfly: e lombra e la quiete.

With its shadow and tranquility.

Pinkerton: E sei qui sola.

And you are here all alone.

Butterfly: Sola e rinnegata! Rinnegata... e felice!

Alone and rejected! Rejected.and happy!

12

Pinkerton: A voi, chiudete.

Hey there, close up the house.

Butterfly: S, s, noi tutti soli... E fuori il mondo....

Yes, yes, we are all alone.and the world is

outside.

Pinkerton: E il Bonzo furibondo.

And the furious Bonze is outside as well!

Butterfly: Suzuki, le mie vesti.

Suzuki, my garments.

Suzuki: Buona notte.

Good night.

Butterfly: Questobi pomposa di scioglier mi tarda

si vesta la sposa di puro candor. Tra motti sommessi
sorride e mi guarda. Celarmi potessi! Ne ho tanto
rossor!

Untying this pompous obi slows me down. The

bride shall be dressed in the purity of innocence.
He says clever things to himself as he smiles and
watches me. Oh if I could only hide. I am
blushing so!

Pinkerton: Con moti di scojattolo i nodi allenta e

scioglie!....Pensar che quel giocattolo mia moglie. Mia
moglie! Ma tal grazia dispiega, chio mi struggo per la
febbre dun subito deso.

With squirrel-like movements she loosens and

unties the knots of her obi.To think that that
little plaything is my wife! My wife! But she
displays such grace that I am consumed by the
fever of a sudden desire.

Butterfly: E ancor lirata voce mi maledice... Butterfly

rinnegata....Rinnegata....e felice.

And still the irate voice curses me.Butterfly, you

are renounced! Rejected.and happy!

Pinkerton: Bimba dagli occhi pieni di mala ora sei

tutta mia. Sei tutta vestita di giglio. Mi piace la treccia
tua bruna fra candidi veli.

Gentle child with eyes full of magic, now you are

completely mine. You are completely dressed in
lily white. I like your dark braids among the white
veils.

Butterfly: Somiglio la Dea della luna, la piccola Dea

della luna che scende la notte dal ponte del ciel.

I resemble the moon goddess, the little moon

goddess who descends at night from the bridge
of heaven.

Pinkerton: E affascina i cuori...

And charms the hearts.

Butterfly: E li prende, e li avvolge in un bianco mantel. And she takes them, and wraps them in a white
E via se li reca negli alti reami,
mantel and transports them away to the highest
realms.
Pinkerton: Ma intanto finor non mhai detto, ancor non But meanwhile, up til now you have not yet told
mhai detto che mami. Le sa quella Dea le parole che me that you love me. Does that goddess know the
appagan gli ardenti desir?
words that satisfy the most ardent desires?
Butterfly: Le sa. Forse dirle non vuole per tema
daverne a morir, per tema daverne a morir!

She knows them. Perhaps she does not want to

say them, for fear of having to die because of
them.

Pinkerton: Stolta paura, lamor non uccide ma d vita, Foolish fear, love does not kill but it gives life, and
e sorride per gioie celestiali come ora fa nei tuoi lunghi smiles with celestial joys, as it is doing now in your
occhi ovali.
long oval eyes.
Butterfly: Pensavo: se qualcuno mi volesse....

I used to think: if someone wanted me.

Pinkerton: Perch tinterrompi?

Why did you stop?

13

Butterfly: .pensavo: se qualcuno mi volesse forse lo

sposerei per qualche tempo. Fu allora che il nakodo le
vostre nozze ci propose. Ma, vi dico in verit, a tutta
prima le propose invano. Un uomo americano! Un
barbaro! una vespa! Scusate, non sapevo....

I used to think: that if someone wanted me, I

might get married. It was then that the nakodo
proposed the marriage to you. But, to tell you the
truth, all of his offers were in vain. An American!
A barbarian! A wasp! Forgive me, I did not know.

Pinkerton: Amor mio dolce! E poi?.. Racconta....

My sweet love! And then?....

Butterfly: Adesso voi siete per me locchio del

firmamento. E mi piaceste dal primo momento che vi
ho veduto. Siete alto, forte. Ridete con modi si palesi!
E dite cose che mai non intesi. Or son contenta, or
son contenta. Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino, un
bene da bambino quale a me si conviene, vogliatemi
bene. Noi siamo gente avvezza alle piccole cose umili
e silenziose, ad una tenerezza sfiorante e pur profonda
come il ciel, come londa del mare.

Now you are the eye of the firmament for me. And
I liked you from the first moment I saw you. You
are tall, strong. You laugh in such an easy
manner! And you say things that I have never
heard before. Now I am content: Now I am very
happy. Please take care of me, with a kind gentle
love, as you would love a baby, that is how I need
to be loved. We are a people accustomed to little
things humble and silent, to a tenderness that
barely brushes against you and yet is profound as
the sky, profound as the mighty sway of the sea.

Pinkerton: Dammi chio baci le tue mani care. Mia

Butterfly! Come than ben nomata tenue farfalla.

Give me your dear hands so that I might kiss them.

My Butterfly! How well they named you, my fine
exquisite Butterfly.

Butterfly: Dicon choltre mare se cade in man delluom, They say that across the sea if a butterfly falls into
ogni farfarla da uno spillo trafitta [con strazio] ed in
a mans hand, each one is pierced by a pin and
tavola infitta!..
driven into a board!
Pinkerton: Un po di vero c. E tu lo sai perch?
Perch non fugga pi. Io tho ghermita....Ti serro
palpitante. Sei mia.

Theres a little bit of truth to that. And do you know

why? So that the butterfly can no longer escape.
I have seized you. I hold you quivering in my arms.
You are mine.

Butterfly: S, per la vita.

Yes, yours for life.

Pinkerton: Vieni, vieni....Via dallanima in pena

langoscia paurosa. notte serena! Guarda: dorme
ogni cosa!

Come, come.Away with fearful anguish from a

soul in pain. It is a clear, cloudless night. Look!
Everything in the world is still!

Butterfly: Ah! Dolce notte!...Quante stelle! Non le vidi

mai s belle! Trema, brilla ogni favilla col baglior duna
pupilla. Oh! Oh! quanti occhi fisi, attenti dogni parte a
riguardar pei firmamenti, via pei lidi, via pel mare....

Gentle night! So many starts! I have never

seen them so beautiful. Each spark trembles,
shines with the flash of an eye. Oh how many
eyes are staring, attentively looking down with
care on us from every part of the firmament, away
along the shores, away over the sea.

Pinkerton Ah! vieni, vieni!

Ah! Come, come.

Butterfly: Ah! Dolce notte! Tutto estatico damor

ride il ciel!

Ah! Gentle night! Everything is ecstatic with love!

Heaven is laughing with us!

Pinkerton: Sei mia!

You are mine!

Fine dellAtto I

End Act One

14

Atto Secondo, parto primo

Act Two, part one

Suzuki: E Izaghi ed Izanami, sarundasico e Kami

Oh! la mia testa! E tu Ten-Sjoo-daj fate che Butterfly
non pianga pi, mai pi, mai pi!

And Izanagi and Izanami, Sarutahiko and you

Earth Spirits. (Oh, my head!) And you, Tensho
Daigain. Grant that Butterfly will weep no more!

Butterfly: Pigri ed obesi son gli Dei Giapponesi.

Lamericano Iddio son persuasa ben pi presto
risponde a chi limplori. Ma temo chegli ignori che
noi stiam qui di casa. Suzuki, lungi la miseria?

The Japanese gods are fat and lazy. I am

convinced that the American god anwers those who
implore him much more quickly. But I am afraid
that he does not know that we are here in this
house. Suzuki, is poverty far away?

Suzuki: Questo lultimo fondo.

This is the last of our funds.

Butterfly: Questo? Oh! Troppe spese!

This is it? Oh! There are too many expenses!

Suzuki: Segli non torna e presto, siamo male in arnese. If he does not return and very soon, we are in a
bad way.
Butterfly: Ma torna.

But hes coming back.

Suzuki: Torner!

He might come back!

Butterfly: Perch dispone che il Console provveda

Why did he arrange to have the Consul provide
alla pigione, rispondi, su! Perch con tante cure la casa for the rent? Come, answer! Why did he take such
riforn di serrature, sei non volessi ritornar mai pi?
care to make sure the house had proper locks if he
never intended to return?
Suzuki: Non lo so.

I dont know.

Butterfly: Non lo sai? Io te lo dico. Per tener ben fuori

le zanzare, i parenti ed i dolori e dentro, con gelosa
custodia, la sua sposa, la sua sposa che son io:
Butterfly.

Dont you know? I will tell you. In order to keep

the mosquitoes, the relative, and sorrows firmly out
of our house, and with jealous care to keep his
bride,, the bride Butterfly, who I am, securely
inside.

Suzuki: Mai non s udito di straniero marito che

sia tornato al suo nido.

No one has ever heard of a foreign husband who

has returned to his nest.

Butterfly: Ah! Taci, o tuccido. Quellultima mattina:

tornerete signor? gli domandai. Egli, col cuore grosso,
per celarmi la pena sorridendo rispose: O Butterfly
piccina mogliettina, torner colle rose alla stagion
serena quando fa la nidiata il pettirosso. Torner.

Oh! Be quiet, or Ill kill you! That last morning I

asked him, Will you return, sir?. He, with a
swollen heart, to hide his suffering from me, said
smiling, Oh Butterfly, my tiny little wife, I will
return with the roses, in the same season when
the robins hatch their brood. He will return.

Suzuki: Speriam.

Lets hope so.

Butterfly: Dillo con me: Torner.

Say it with me, He will return.

Suzuki: Torner...

He will return.

Butterfly: Piangi? Perch? perch? Ah la fede ti

manca!Senti. Un bel d, vedremo levarsi un fil di fumo
sullestremo confin del mare. E poi la nave appare.
Poi la nave bianca entra nel porto, romba il suo saluto.
Vedi? venuto! Io non gli scendo incontro. Io no. Mi

You are crying? Why? Why? Ah, you lack faith!

Listen. It will be a beautiful day, and we will see
a tiny thread of smoke rise up at the most distant
boundary of the sea. And then, the ship appears.
Then the white ship enters the port, thundering its

15

metto l sul ciglio del colle e aspetto, e aspetto gran

tempo e non mi pesa, la lunga attesa. E... uscito dalla
folla cittadina un uomo, un picciol punto savvia per la
collina. Chi sar? Chi sar? E come sar giunto che
dir? Che dir? Chiamer Butterfly dalla lontana. Io
senza dar risposta me ne star nascosta un po per
celia e un poper non morire al primo incontro, ed egli
alquanto in pena chiamer, chiamer: Piccina
mogliettina olezzo di verbena, i nomi che mi dava al
suo venire. Tutto questo avverr, te lo prometto.
Tienti la tua paura, io con sicura fede laspetto.

greeting. Cant you see? He has come! I will not

go down to meet him. Not I. I will place myself
there at the crest of the hill and wait, and I will wait
a long time and the long wait wont bother me at all.
And.then a man emerges from the crowded city,
a tiny little dot makes his way up the hill. Who is
that? Who is that? the village gossips will say.
And what will he say when he arrives? He will call
Butterfly from a distance. I, without giving a
response, will remain hidden: partly to tease him
and a little for fear of dying at the first meeting, and
he, rather worried, will call. Yes, hell call, Tiny
little wife, fragrance of verbena!, the names he
gave me when he first came. All of this will take
place, I promise you. Hold on to your fear. I wait for
him with complete confidence.

Goro: C. Entrate.

Shes in there. Enter.

Sharpless: Chiedo scusa....Madama Butterfly....

I, by your pardon.Madame Butterfly.

Butterfly: Madama Pinkerton. Prego. Oh! il mio signor Madame Pinkerton, please. Oh! My dear Mr.
Console, signor Console!
Consul, Mr. Consul!
Sharpless: Mi ravvisate?

Do you recognize me?

Butterfly: Ben venuto in casa americana.

You are welcome in this American house!

Sharpless: Grazie.

Thank you.

Butterfly: Avi, antenati tutti bene?

Ancestors, forebears, are they all well?

Sharpless: Ma spero.

I hope so.

Butterfly: Fumate?

Do you smoke?

Sharpless: Grazie. Ho qui....

Thank you. I have here.

Butterfly: Signore, io vedo il cielo azzurro.

Sir, your visit causes me to see blues skies again!

Sharpless: Grazie....Ho....

Thank youI have.

Butterfly: Preferite forse le sigarette? Americane.

Perhaps you would prefer an American cigarette?

Sharpless: Ma grazie. Ho da mostrarvi...

Yes.Thanks, but.I must show you.

Butterfly: A voi.

Heres a light.

Sharpless: Mi scrisse Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton...

Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton has written to me.

Butterfly: Davvero! in salute?

Really! Is he is good health?

Sharpless: Perfetta.

Perfect.

Butterfly: Io son la donna pi lieta del Giappone.

Potrei farvi una domanda?

I am the most fortunate woman in all of Japan!

Could I ask you a question?

Sharpless: Certo.

Certainly.

16

Butterfly: Quando fanno il lor nido in America i

pettirossi?

When do the robins make their nests in America?

Sharpless: Come dite?

What did you say?

Butterfly: S,....prima o dopo di qui?

Yes.is it earlier or later than here?

Sharpless: Ma... perch?...

But.why do you ask this?

Butterfly: Mio marito mha promesso di ritornar nella

stagion beata che il pettirosso rif la nidiata. Qui lha
rifatta per ben tre volte, ma pu darsi che di l usi nidiar
men spesso. Chi ride? Oh, c il nakodo. Un uom
cattivo.

My husband promised me that he would return in

that blessed season when the robins remake their
nest for babies. Here they have make them three
times already, but perhaps over there the custom is
to make the nests less often. Who is laughing?
Oh. Its the nakodo. Hes a nasty man.

Goro: Godo...

I enjoy being so.

Butterfly: Zitto. Egli os... No, prima rispondete alla

dimanda mia.

Quiet. He dared to.no, first answer my question.

Sharpless: Mi rincresce, ma ignoro....Non ho studiato

ornitologia.

I am sorry, but I dont know.I have never studied

ornithology.

Butterfly: orni...

Orni.

Sharpless: ...tologia.

.thology.

Butterfly: Non lo sapete insomma.

In short, you dont know.

Sharpless: No. Dicevamo...

No. We were saying.

Butterfly: Ah, s. Goro, appena B. F. Pinkerton fu in

mare mi venne ad assediare con ciarle e con presenti
per ridarmi ora questo, or quel marito. Or promette
tesori per uno scimunito...

Ah, yes. Goro, as soon as B. F. Pinkerton was at

sea, came to besiege me with chatter and with
presents from this husband or that husband. Now
he is promising treasures from that idiotic.

Goro: Il ricco Yamadori. Ella povera in canna. I suoi

parenti lhan tutti rinnegata.

The rich Yamadori. She is destitute. Her relatives

have all rejected her.

Butterfly: Eccolo. Attenti.

Here he is. Watch.

Butterfly: Yamadori ancor le pene dellamor, non vhan Yamadori, have the pains of love not caused you
deluso? Vi tagliate ancor le vene se il mio bacio vi
enough disappointment? Are you still prepared to
ricuso?
cut your veins if I refuse you my kiss?
Yamadori: Tra le cose pi moleste linutil sospirar.

Among the most bothersome of things is the

uselessness of sighing.

Butterfly: Tante mogli omai toglieste, vi doveste

abituar.

You have taken so many wives by now you

should be accustomed to it.

Yamadori: Lho sposate tutte quante e il divorzio mi

franc.

I married every one of them and divorce set me

free.

Butterfly: Obbligata.

I am much obliged.

17

Yamadori: A voi per giurerei fede costante.

To you, however, I would swear constant faith.

Sharpless Il messaggio, ho gran paura, a trasmetter

non riesco.

I am really afraid that I wont succeed in delivering

the message.

Goro: Ville, servi, oro, ad Omara un palazzo

principesco.

Villas, servants, and at Omara a princely palace.

Butterfly: Gi legata la mia fede...

My faith is already bound to someone else.

Goro e Yamadori: Maritata ancor si crede.

She still believes she is married.

Butterfly: Non mi credo: sono, sono.

I dont believe so, I am. I am married.

Goro: Ma la legge...

But the law.

Butterfly: Io non la so.

I dont know it.

Goro: ...per la moglie, labbandono al divorzio

equipar.

For the wife, abandonment is the equivalent of

divorce.

Butterfly: La legge giapponese... non gi del mio

paese.

That is the Japanese law.not the law of my

country.

Goro: Quale?

Which?

Butterfly: Gli Stati Uniti.

The United States.

Sharpless: Oh, linfelice!

Oh, the poor girl!

Butterfly: Si sa che aprir la porta e la moglie cacciar

Per la pi corta qui divorziar si dice. Ma in America
questo non si pu. Vero?

Everyone knows that to open the door and chase

the wife out is the shortest way and here it is called
divorce. But you cant do this in America. Is that
not true?

Sharpless: Vero... Per...

Thats true.however.

Butterfly: Un bravo giudice serio, impettito dice al

marito: Lei vuol andarsene? Sentiam perch? Sono
seccato del coniugato! E il magistrato: Ah,
mascalzone, presto in prigione! Suzuki, il th.

There a good, serious, dignified judge says to the

husband, You want to go on your way? We would
like to hear why. Im bored with being married!
And then the magistrate says, Ah, rascal, off to
prison immediately! Suzuki, the tea.

Yamadori: Udiste?

Did you hear?

Sharpless: Mi rattrista una s piena cecit.

Such complete blindness make me sad.

Goro: Segnalata gi la nave di Pinkerton.

The arrival of Pinkertons ship has already been

announced.

Yamadori: Quandessa lo riveda...

When she see him again.

Sharpless: Egli non vuol mostrarsi. Io venni appunto

per levarla dinganno.

He does not want to show himself. I have come

to disabuse her from this bad situation.

Butterfly: Vostra Grazia permette.Che persone

moleste.

Your Grace, may I pour you more tea? What

annoying people.

18

Yamadori: Addio. Vi lascio il cuor pien di cordoglio:

ma spero ancor...

Farewell. I leave you my heart full of grief, but I

still have hope.

Butterfly: Padrone.

Sir.

Yamadori: Ah! se voleste...

Ah! If you wanted.

Butterfly: Il guaio che non voglio...

The trouble is I dont want

Sharpless: Ora a noi. Sedete qui, legger con me volete Now back to us. Sit here. Will you read this letter
questa lettera?
with me?
Butterfly: Date. Sulla bocca, sul cuore....Siete luomo Give it to me. On my mouth, on my heartYou are
migliore del mondo. Incominciate.
the best man in this world. Begin.
Sharpless: Amico, cercherai quel bel fior di fanciulla... My friend, please find that beautiful flower of a
girl.
Butterfly: Dice proprio cos?

Did he really say that?

Sharpless: S, cos dice, ma se ad ogni momento...

Yes, that is what he says, but if at every moment

Butterfly: Taccio, taccio, pi nulla.

Ill be quiet....Ill be quiet, I wont interrupt again.

Sharpless: Da quel tempo felice, tre anni son passati. Three years have passed since that happy time,
Butterfly: Anche lui li ha contati!...

He has also counted them!

Sharpless: E forse Butterfly non mi rammenta pi.

and perhaps Butterfly no longer remembers me.

Butterfly: Non lo rammento? Suzuki, dillo tu. Non

mi rammenta pi!

Suzuki, tell him. .no longer remembers me!

Sharpless: (Pazienza!) Se mi vuol bene ancor,

se maspetta

(Patience!) If she still loves me, if she is waiting

for me.

Butterfly: Oh le dolci parole! Tu, benedetta!

Oh, the sweet words! You, blessed letter!

Sharpless: A voi mi raccomando perch vogliate

con circospezione prepararla...

I am entrusting to you the task of preparing her,

with prudence.

Butterfly: Ritorna...

Hes returning.

Sharpless: al colpo...

.for the blow.

Butterfly: Quando? Presto! presto!

When? Soon! Soon!

Sharpless: (Benone. Qui troncarla conviene... .Quel

diavolo dun Pinkerton.) Ebbene, che fareste Madama
Butterfly sei non dovesse ritornar pi mai?

(Very well. Its best to stop hereThat devil of a

Pinkerton!) Well then, what would you do, Madame
Butterfly, if he were never to return again?

Butterfly: Due cose potrei far: tornar... a divertir la

gente col cantar... oppur,... meglio, morire,

I could do two things: return to entertaining people

with my singing.or else.better, die.

Sharpless: Di strapparvi assai mi costa dai miraggi

ingannatori. Accogliete la proposta di quel ricco
Yamadori.

It hurts me a great deal to wrench you away from

your deceiving false illusion. Accept the
proposal from the rich Yamadori.

19

Butterfly: Voi, voi, signor, mi dite questo!... Voi?

You, you, Sir, you tell me this! Even you!

Sharpless: Santo Dio, come si fa?

Good Lord, what can be done?

Butterfly: Qui, Suzuki, presto presto, che Sua Grazia

se ne va.

Come here, Suzuki, quickly. Quickly. His Grace is

leaving.

Sharpless: Mi scacciate?

Youre dismissing me?

Butterfly: Ve ne prego, gi linsistere non vale.

I beg you, it is useless to insist.

Sharpless: Fui brutale, non lo nego.

I was brutal, I dont deny it.

Butterfly: Oh, mi fate tanto male, tanto male, tanto,

tanto! Niente, niente!....Ho creduto morir....Ma passa
presto come passan le nuvole sul mare....Ah! mha
scordata?

Oh, you hurt me so deeply, oh you have hurt me

terribly, so much, so much! Its nothing, nothing!
I believed I was going to die.but it passes as
Quickly as the clouds over the sun. Ah! He has
forgotten me?

Butterfly: E questo?... e questo?... e questo egli

potr pure scordare?

And this? And this? And this? Can he also forget

This?

Sharpless: Egli suo?

Is he his child?

Butterfly: Chi vide mai a bimbo del Giappon occhi

azzurrini? E il labbro? E i ricciolini doro schietto?

Whoever saw a Japanese baby with azure eyes?

And a mouth like this? And little curls of pure gold?

Sharpless: palese. E Pinkerton lo sa?

He is obviously Pinkertons son. And does his

father know about him?

Butterfly: No. No. nato quandegli stava in quell

suo gran paese. Ma voi....gli scriverete che laspetta
un figlio senza pari! e mi saprete dir sei non saffretta
per le terre e pei mari! Sai cosebbe cuore di pensare
quel signore? Che tua madre dovr prenderti in
braccio ed alla pioggia e al vento andar per la citt a
guadagnarti il pane e il vestimento. Ed alle impietosite
genti, ballando de suoi canti al suon, gridare: Udite,
udite la bellissima canzon delle ottocentomila divinit
vestite di splendor. E passer una fila di guerrieri
coll Imperator, dir: Sommo Duce ferma i tuoi servi
e sosta a riguardar questocchi, ove la luce dal cielo
azzurro onde scendesti appar. E allor fermato il pi
lImperatore dogni grazia degno, forse, forse far di
te il principe pi bello del suo regno.

No. No. He was born when his father was in that

great country of his. But you.will write to him
and tell him that a son without equal waits for him!
And then you can tell me if he does not rush over
the land and the seas. Do you know what this
gentleman had the heart to think? That your
mother will have to take you in her arms and trudge
through the city in the wind and rain to earn bread
and clothing. And dancing for the pitiless people
she will sing her song shouting: Listen, listen to
the most beautiful song about the 800,000 divinities
dressed in splendor. And a file of soldiers will pass
by with the Emperor, and I will say to him,
Supreme Commander stop your servants and
pause a moment to look at these eyes, where the
light from the blue heaven may descend and shine
upon you. And then the Emperor, worthy of all
grace, stops and perhaps, perhaps he will make
you the most handsome prince of his kingdom.

Sharpless: (Quanta piet!) Vien sera. Io scendo al

piano. Mi perdonate?

Oh my God. How sad. This evening I will go down

to the town. Will you forgive me?

Butterfly: A te, dagli la mano.

Give him your hand.

Sharpless: I bei capelli biondi! Caro: come ti chiamano? What beautiful blond hair! Dear child, what is
you name?

20

Butterfly: Rispondi: Oggi il mio nome Dolore. Per

Answer, Today my name is Sorrow. However, tell
dite al babbo, scrivendogli, che il giorno del suo ritorno, daddy, write to him, that on the day of his return,
Gioia, Gioia mi chiamer.
Joy, Joy will be my name.
Sharpless: Tuo padre lo sapr, te lo prometto.

Your father will know, that I promise you.

Suzuki: Vespa! Rospo maledetto!

Wasp! Accursed toad!

Butterfly: Che fu?

What happened?

Suzuki: Ci ronza intorno il vampiro! e ogni giorno ai

quattro venti spargendo va che niuno sa chi padre
al bimbo sia!

The vampire is buzzing around us! And every day

he spreads his gossip to the four winds that no one
knows who the childs father is!

Goro: Dicevo... solo... che l in America quando un

figliolo nato maledetto trarr sempre reietto la vita
fra le genti!

I was only saying that there in America, when a

baby is born in a bad circumstance, he will always
live the life of an outcast among the people!

Butterfly: Ah! tu menti! menti! menti! Ah! menti!

Dillo ancora o tuccido!

Ah! Youre lying! Say it again and Ill kill you!

Suzuki: No!

No!

Butterfly: Va via!

Get out!

Butterfly: Vedrai, piccolo amor, mia pena e mio

conforto, mio piccolo amor. Ah! vedrai che il tuo
vendicator ci porter lontano, lontan, nella sua
terra, lontan ci porter.

You will see, my little love, my sorrow and my

comfort, my little love. Ah! You will see that your
savior will carry us far away, far away, to his
country, he will take us far away.

Suzuki: Il cannone del porto! Una nave da guerra...

The cannon of the port! A warship.

Butterfly: Bianca... bianca... il vessillo Americano

delle stelle... Or governa per ancorare. Reggimi la
mano chio ne discerna il nome, il nome, il nome.
Eccolo: ABRAMO LINCOLN! Tutti han mentito! tutti!
Tutti!....Sol io lo sapevo sol io che lamo. Vedi lo
scimunito tuo dubbio? giunto! giunto! giunto!
proprio nel punto che ognun diceva: piangi e dispera.
Or bimbo mio fa in alto sventolar la tua bandiera: Gioia,
ti chiami. Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio e linnonda
di fior. Batti le mani; care le tue mani.

White.white.the American flag with the stars.

Now its beginning to drop anchor. Steady my
hand so that I can discern the name.the name.
here it is: ABRAHAM LINCOLN! They all lied! All
of them! Every one of them! And I knew it, only
me, just me, the one who loves him. Do you see
how foolish your doubts were? He has arrived! He
has returned! He has come back just at the
moment when everyone said, Weep and despair.
Now my baby, wave your flag high. I now name you
Joy! Shake the branch of that cherry tree and
inundate him with flowers. Clap your hands, clap
your dear little hands.

Suzuki: Signora, quetatevi... quel pianto...

Madame, calm yourself.that weeping.

Butterfly: No: rido, rido!.. Quanto lo dovremo aspettar? No, Im laughing, laughing! How long will we have
Che pensi? Unora?
to wait for him? What do you think? An hour?
Suzuki: Di pi.

More than that.

Butterfly: Certo di pi. Due ore forse. Tutto tutto sia

pien di fior, come la notte di faville. Sfronda tutto il
giardin come fa il vento. E accenderem mille lanterne
almeno e forse pi di mille....No?....Siam povere?....
Cento... Dieci....Il conto qual sia la maggior fiamma

Certainly more than that. Perhaps two hours.

Everything must be full of flowers, as the night
is full of sparks. Prune the entire garden as the
wind does when it blows through it. And we will
light a least a thousand lanterns and perhaps more

21

nellanima mia...

than a thousand.no?....were too poor arent we?

A hundred, then?....ten?....Whatever the number is
the greatest flame is the one in my soul!

Suzuki: Tutti i fior?

All the flowers?

Butterfly: Tutti i fior, tutti... tutti. Pesco, vola,

gelsomin, quanto di cespo, o derba, o dalbero fior.

All the flowers! Peach blossoms, violet, jasmine,

as long as its a tuft of flowers, whether it be
beautiful grasses or a flowering tree.

Suzuki: Uno squallor dinverno sar tutto il giardin.

The garden will become the squalor of winter.

Butterfly: Tutta la primavera voglio che olezzi qui.

I want the complete fragrance of spring to be in the

air.

Suzuki: A voi signora.

Here, Madame.

Butterfly: Cogline ancora.

Pick some more.

Suzuki: Soventi a questa siepe veniste a

riguardare lungi, piangendo nella deserta immensit.

Often you came to this hedge to stare off into the

distance. Weeping in the deserted immensity.

Butterfly: Giunse latteso, nulla pi chiedo al mare;

diedi pianto alla zolla, essa i suoi fior mi d.

The man I waited for has come. I ask nothing more

from the sea. I gave my tears to the earth and she
gives me her flowers.

Suzuki: Spoglio lorto.

The garden is stripped bare.

Butterfly: Spoglio lorto? Vien, maiuta.

Is it completely bare? Come help me.

Suzuki: Rose al varco della soglia.

Roses on the threshold.

Butterfly, Suzuki: Seminiamo intorno april,

Lets plant the seeds of April all around.

Suzuki: Gigli?.. viole?

Lilies? Violets?

Butterfly: intorno, intorno spandi.

Spread them around.

Butterfly: Il suo sedil singhirlandi, di convolvi

singhirlandi; gigli e viole intorno spandi,
seminiamo intorno april.

Lets garland his seat with morning glories, spread

lilies and violets all around. Lets sew the essence
of April all around.

Butterfly, Suzuki: Gettiamo a mani piene mammole

e tuberose, corolle di verbene, petali dogni fior!
corolle di verbene, petali dogni fior!

Lets fill our hands full of flowers and throw into the
air shrinking violets and tuberoses, corollas of
vebena, petals of every flower!

Butterfly: Or vienmi ad adornar. Non son pi quella!...

Troppi sospiri la bocca mand, e locchio riguard nel
lontan troppo fiso. Suzuki, fammi bella, fammi bella,
fammi bella!

Now come here to adorn me. I am no longer the

beautiful young girl! My lips have emitted too many
sighs and my eyes have stared too fixedly into the
distance. Suzuki, make me beautiful!

Suzuki: Gioia, riposo accrescono belt.

Joy and rest enhance beauty.

Butterfly: Chiss! chiss! Dammi sul viso un tocco

di carmino... .ed anche a te piccino perch la veglia
non ti faccia vte per pallore le gote.

Who knows. Put a little touch of rouge on my

face.and also for you, little one, so that the vigil
wont make your cheeks hollow with pallor.

Suzuki: Non vi movete che vho a ravviare i capelli.

Dont move, so that I can tidy up your hair.

22

Butterfly: Che ne diranno ora i parenti! Che ne dir

lo zio Bonzo?

What will the relative say about it now! What will

Uncle Bonze say?

Suzuki: Ferma....

Hold still.

Butterfly: Qual cicalo faranno in coro....

What blabbing they will all make.

Suzuki: Non vi movete....

Dont move.

Butterfly: Qual cicalo faranno in coro le comari con

Goro.

Oh how those gossips will all blabber in chorus

with Goro!

Butterfly: Gi del mio danno tutti contenti! E

Yamadori coi suoi languori! Beffati, scornati,
beffati, spennati gli ingrati!

They were all so happy with my misfortune! And

Yamadori with this languors! All of those ingrate
relatives will now be mocked, scorned, plucked,
and held up to ridicule.

Suzuki: fatto.

Its done.

Butterfly: Lobi che vestii da sposa. Cara faccia

pensosa! Roje un bimbo biondo, la, la, la,.
simile a sole dopo la tempesta; lazzurro occhio
profondo...

The obi that I wore as a bride. Dear thoughtful

face! Rock-a-bye, blonde baby boy! Like the
sun after a stormdeep blue eyes.

Suzukii: Ecco lobi nuzial...

Here is the wedding obi.

Butterfly: Qua chio lo vesta. Vo che mi veda

indosso il vel del primo d. E un papavero rosso
nei capelli....Cos. Nello shosi or farem tre forellini
per riguardar, e starem zitti come topolini ad aspettar.

Bring it here so I can put is on. I want him to see

me wearing the veil from our first night together.
And a red poppy in my hair.like this. We will
now make three little holes in the shoji so that we
can watch carefully for his return and we will be as
quiet as little mice as we wait.

Atto Secondo, parto secondo

Act Two, part two

Marinai: Oh eh! oh eh!

Away! Away!

Suzuki: Gia il sole! Cio-cio San.

The sun has already risen. Cio-cio San.

Butterfly: Verr.verr vedrai.

He will come, he will come, you will see!

Suzuki: Salite a riposare, affranta siete.al suo

Venire.vi chiamer

Go to rest, you are worn out by all of this

worrying.when he comes.I will call you.

Butterfly: Dormi amor mio, dormi sul mio cor. Tu se

con Dio ed io col mio dolor. Dormi amor mio, dormi
sul mio cor. Tu se con Dio ed io col mio dolor. A te I
rai degli astri dor: bimbo mio dormi!

Sleep my love, sleep upon my heart. You are with

God and I with my sorrow. For you the rays of the
golden stars: sleep my baby!

Suzuki: Povera Butterfly!

Poor Butterfly!

Butterfly: Verr, verr, vedrai. Dormi sul mio cor a

te i rai degli astri dor: bimbo mio dormi! Dormi amor
mio, dormi sul mio cor. Tu sei con Dio ed io col mio
dolor.

He will come, he will come, youll see. Sleep upon

my heart, to you the rays.the golden stars.
sleep my baby! Sleep my love, sleep upon my
heart. You are with God and I with my sorrow.

23

Suzuki: Povera Butterfly! Chi sia?....Oh!....

Who can it be?

Sharpless: Stz! Zitta! zitta!

Ssh! Hush! Hush!

Pinkerton: Non la destar.

Dont wake her up.

Suzuki: Era stanca s tanto! Vi stette ad aspettare

tutta la notte col bimbo.

She was so tired. She stared waiting all night with

the baby.

Pinkerton: Come sapea?

How did she know?

Suzuki: Non giunge da tre anni una nave nel porto,

che da lunge Butterfly non ne scruti il color, la
bandiera.

For the past three years no ship has entered the

port, that from afar Butterfly does not scan the
horizon to see its color, its flag.

Sharpless: Ve lo dissi?!...

What did I tell you?

Suzuki: La chiamo...

Ill call her.

Pinkerton: No: non ancor.

No, not yet.

Suzuki: Lo vedete, ier sera, la stanza volle sparger

di fiori.

You see, yesterday evening she wanted to scatter

flowers throughout the room.

Sharpless: Ve lo dissi?...

What did I tell you?

Pinkerton: Che pena!

What sorrow!

Suzuki: Chi c l fuori nel giardino?... Una donna!!

Who is out there in the garden? A woman!

Pinkerton: Zitta!

Hush!

Suzuki: Chi ? chi ?

Who is she? Who is she?

Sharpless: Meglio dirle ogni cosa....

Better to tell her everything.

Suzuki: Chi ? chi ?

Who is she? Who is she?

Pinkerton: venuta con me.

She came with me.

Suzuki: Chi ? chi ?

Who is she? Who is she?

Sharpless: sua moglie!

She is his wife!

Suzuki: Anime sante degli avi! Alla piccina s

spento il sol, s spento il sol!

Sainted souls of the ancestors. The sun has

extinguished itself for that little soul! The sun has
gone out!

Sharpless: Scegliemmo questora mattutina per

ritrovarti sola, Suzuki, e alla gran prova un aiuto,
un sostegno cercar con te.

We chose this early morning hour to find you alone,

Suzuki, and to find in you help and support through
this great ordeal.

Suzuki: Che giova? che giova?

Whats the use?

Sharpless: Io so che alle sue pene non ci sono

conforti! Ma del bimbo conviene assicurar le sorti!

I know that there are no comforts for her great

sorrows! But we must take steps to assure the
babys future.

24

Pinkerton: Oh! lamara fragranza di questi fiori.

Oh the bitter fragrance of these flowers goes to

my heart like poison.

Sharpless: La pietosa che entrar non osa materna

cura del bimbo avr

The pitying woman who does not dare enter will

take maternal care of the baby.

Suzuki: Oh me trista! E volete chio chieda ad una

madre.....e volete chio chieda ad una madre....Oh!
me trista! Oh! me trista! Anime sante degli avi!....
Alla piccina | s spento il sol! Oh! me trista! Oh! Me
trista! me trista! Alla piccina s spento il sol!

Oh sad me! And you want me to ask a mother to

give up her child.

Pinkerton: Immutata la stanza dei nostri amor....

Il mio ritratto... Tre anni son passati, tre anni son
passati, tre anni son passati e noverati nha i
giorni, i giorni e lore.

The room where we experienced such love is

unchanged, but the chill of death is in the air. My
portrait is still here. Three years have passed and
she has counted each day and each hour.

Sharpless: Suvvia, parla, suvvia, parla con quella

pia e conducila qui... sanche la veda Butterfly, non
importa. Anzi, meglio se accorta del vero si facesse
alla sua vista. Suvvia, parla con quella pia, suvvia,
conducila qui.

Come on, speak with that good woman and bring

her in here.even if Butterfly sees her it does not
matter, in fact, it would be a better idea to have her
learn the truth by seeing her.

Pinkerton: Non posso rimaner; vaspetto per la via.

I cant stay; Sharpless, I will wait for you along

the way.

Sharpless: Non ve lho detto?

Didnt I tell you it would end this way?

Pinkerton: Mavete visto piangere n son facile al

pianto. Pace non posso renderle, A voi. Qualche
soccorso... Chella non cada almeno in povert. Voi del
figlio parlatele, io non oso. Ho rimorso; sono stordito!
Addio, mi passer.

You have seen me weeping, nor do I weep easily.

I cannot give her any comfort at all. Here, take this.
Some assistance.so that she wont at least fall
into poverty. You speak to her about the boy, I
dont dare. I have too much remorse. I am
stunned! Farewell!

Sharpless: Vel dissi? Vi recorda? Quando la man

vi diede: Badate! Ella ci credie! E fui profeta allor!
Sorda ai consigli, sorda ai dubbi, vilipesa nellostinata
attesa raccolse il cor.

Didnt I tell you this would happen? Do you

remember? When she gave you her hand I said
Be careful! She believes this is for real and I was
a prophet then! Deaf to advice, deaf to doubts,
scorned, she held her heart together in her
stubborn waiting.

Pinkerton: Si tutto in un istante io vedo il fallo mio

e sento che di questo tormento tregua mai non avr!
No!

Yes, all in one moment I see the great harm I have

done and I feel that I will never have relief from
this torment, no never, no!

Sharpless: Andate: il triste vero da sola apprender.

Go: she will learn the sad truth alone.

Pinkerton: Addio fiortio asil, di letizia e damor.

Sempre il mite suo sembiante con strazio atroce vedr.
Non reggo al tuo squallor, ah, non reggo al tuo squallor.
Fuggo, fuggo: son vil! Addio, non reggo al tuo
squallor, ah! Son vil, ah! Son Vil!

Farewell forever flowered refuge of joy and love. I

will always be tormented by the image of her
gentle countenance suffering in excruciating
agony, I cannot bear to be in this awful misery,
I cannot bear to experience this sorrow with her.
I am a coward and I must run away! Oh my God!
Ive done something unforgiveable!

Sharpless: Ma or quell sincero presago gi.

But now that sincere heart is already foreseeing.

25

Kate: Glielo dirai?

You will tell her?

Suzuki: Prometto.

I promise.

Kate: E le darai consiglio daffidarmi?

And you will advise her to entrust the child to me?

Suzuki: Prometto.

I promise.

Kate: Lo terr come un figlio.

I will treat him like my own son.

Suzuki: Vi credo. Ma bisogna chio le sia sola accanto. I believe you. But it is necessary that I be the only
Nella grande ora... sola! Pianger tanto tanto! pianger one near to her.in this horrible hour.I alone!
tanto!
How terribly she will weep! Oh she will weep
desperately!
Butterfly: Suzuki! Suzuki! Dove sei? Suzuki!

Suzuki! Where are you?

Suzuki: Son qui... pregavo e rimettevo a posto....

No....no....no....no....no....non scendete....no... .no....

I am here.I was praying and putting things back

in order. No.no.dont come down.

Butterfly: qui,.... qui....dove nascosto?

qui,... qui....Ecco il Console.e....dove?....dove?
....Non c!....Chi siete? Come bella!... Nessuno
parla!... Perch piangete? No: non ditemi nulla...
nulla... forse potrei cader morta sullattimo....Tu
Suzuki che sei tanto buona, non piangere! e mi
vuoi tanto bene un S, un No, di piano... Vive?

Hes here.hes here.where is he hidden? Hes

here.hes herehere is the Consul. And.
where? Where? Hes not here.Who are you?
How beautiful she is! No one speaks! Why are you
weeping? No. Dont tell me anything.nothing.
nothing.perhaps I would fall dead this instant.
You, Suzuki, who are so good, dont weep, and you
love me so much, softly tell me a yes or a no. Is he
alive?

Suzuki: S.

Yes.

Butterfly: Ma non viene pi. Te lhan detto!....

Vespa! Voglio che tu risponda.

But hes never coming back. They told you that.

Wasp! I want you to answer.

Suzuki: Mai pi.

Never again.

Butterfly: Ma giunto ieri?

But he arrived yesterday?

Suzuki: S.

Yes.

Butterfly: Quella donna bionda mi fa tanta

paura! tanta paura!

That blond woman frightens me so much. She

terrifies me.

Kate: Son la causa innocente dogni vostra

sciagura. Perdonatemi.

I am the innocent cause of all of your misery.

Forgive me.

Butterfly: Non mi toccate. Quanto tempo che

vha sposata....voi?

Do not touch me. How long ago did he marry.

you.

Kate: Un anno. E non mi lascierete far nulla pel

bambino? Lo terrei con cura affetuosa. triste
cosa, triste cosa, ma fatelo pel suo meglio.

One year. And wont you let me do something for

the child? I will look after him with affectionate
care. Its a sad thing, a sad thing, but do it for his
well-being.

Butterfly: Chiss! Tutto compiuto ormai!

Who knows! Everything is done by now!

Kate: Potete perdonarmi, Butterfly?

Can you forgive me, Butterfly?

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Butterfly: Sotto il gran ponte del cielo non v donna

di voi pi felice. Siatelo sempre, non vattristate per
me. Mi piacerebbe pur che gli diceste che pace io
trover.

Under the great bridge of heaven there is no

woman more fortunate than you. May you always
be so, do not be sad for me. Yet is would please
me if you would tell him that I will find peace.

Kate: La man,... la man, me la dareste?

My hand.my hand, wont you please take my

hand?

Butterfly: Vi prego, questo... no... Andate adesso.

I beg you, not that.no. Go now.

Kate: Povera piccina!

Poor little thing.

Sharpless: un immensa piet!

This breaks your heart!

Kate: E il figlio lo dar?

And she will give us the child?

Butterfly: A lui lo potr dare se lo verr a cercare.

Fra mezzora salite la collina.

I will be able to give him the child if he will come

to claim him. Climb the hill in half an hour.

Sharpless: Lamico mio....mi diede....per voi....

non so spiegarmi....Egli provede....

My friend.gave me.for you.I dont know how

to explain myself.the words to provide.

Butterfly: Non piangete, signore, io sono avvezza

ad ogni peggior cosa. E poi riposa pur tanto la certezza,
la speranza ed il sogno, quelli no, quelli no, non dan
pace,....quelli no, non dan pace.
Or se vi piace....rendete....

Do not cry, sir. I am accustomed to worse things

than this. And there is only one certainty in this
world. That hopes and dreams, these things, no,
no, these things, they do no give peace to your
soul.

Sharpless: Oh no.

Oh no.

Butterfly: Non me ne fa bisogno.

I do not have need of it.

Sharpless: Come caparbia quella testolina!

That little head of yours sure is stubborn!

Butterfly: Lo voglio.

I want it this way.

Sharpless: Obbedir. Si pu rivedervi?

I will obey. May I return to see you again?

Butterfly: Si pu: fra mezzora salite la collina.

You may. Climb up the hill in half an hour.

Suzuki: Come una mosca prigioniera lali batte il

piccolo cuor!

Your little heart is beating like the wings of an

imprisoned fly!

Butterfly: Troppa luce di fuor, e troppa primavera.

Chiudi.

There is too much light from outside, and too much

Springtime! Close everything.

Butterfly: Il bimbo ove sia?

Where is the baby?

Suzuki: Giuoca... Lo chiamo?

Hes playingshall I call him?

Butterfly: Lascialo giuocar, lascialo giuocar. Va a fargli Let him play. Go keep him company.
compagnia.
Suzuki: Non vi voglio lasciar. No! no! no! no!

I dont want to leave you. No!

Butterfly: Ieri mhai detto una savia parola: che il

buon riposo accresce la belt.

Last night you gave me wise advice: that a good

rest enhances beauty.

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Suzuki: Vero.

Thats true.

Butterfly: Lasciami sola e la tua Butterfly riposer.

Sai la canzone? Ei venne alle sue porte prese il posto
di tutto, se nand e nulla vi lasci, nulla, nulla, fuor
che la morte.

Leave me alone and your Butterfly will rest. Do you

know the song? He came through the door and
took the place of everything, then he left forever,
never to return again, and he left nothing in his
place, nothing, nothing except death.

Suzuki: Resto con voi.

I want to stay with you.

Butterfly: Va, va. Te lo commando.

Con onor muore chi non pu serbar vita con onore.

Go, go. I command you.

With honor dies he who can no longer preserve
honor in this life.
Tu? tu? tu? tu? tu? tu? tu? piccolo Iddio! Amore,
You? My little god! Love, my love. Flower of the
Amore mio, fior di giglio e di rosa. Qui, qui la tua
lily and the rose. Here, here give me your blond
testa bionda chio nasconda la fronte dolorosa, qui,
head so that I may hide my sorrowful brow, here,
ne tuoi capelli. Non saperlo mai per te, pei tuoi puri
here, in you hair. You must never know that for
occhi, muor Butterfly perch tu possa andar di l dal
you, that for your pure eyes, Butterfly dies so that
mare senza che ti rimorda ai d maturi, il materno
you can go to live there over the sea without your
abbandono. O a me, sceso dal trono dellalto
mothers abandonment causing you tormenting
Paradiso, guarda ben fiso, fiso di tua madre la faccia!
remorse when you are older. O you, descended
....che ten resti una traccia, guarda ben di tua
to me from the throne of the highest heaven, look
madre la faccia! sia pur pallida e poca. Che non tutto
hard, please, please, look hard at your mothers
consunto vada di mia belt lultimo fior. Addio! Addio! face, so that you might remember a trace of what
Piccolo amore! O a me, sceso dal trono dellalto
she was.look hard at your mothers face even
Paradiso, guarda ben fiso,fiso di tua madre la faccia!
though it is pale and wanting, the last flowering of
....che ten resti una traccia, guarda ben! Amore addio! my beauty has not completely worn out. O you
Addio! Piccolo amor!
descended to me from the throne of the highest
heaven, look hard at your mothers face, so that
you might have some faint remembrance of her,
look hard! Farewell my love! Farewell my little
love!
Va. Gioca, gioca.
Go, play, play!
Pinkerton: Butterfly! Butterfly! Butterfly!
End of the opera

NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION AND PERFORMING EDITION AND NEW VERSION OF THE ITALIAN LIBRETTO AND
PERFORMING EDITION PREPARED BY
HARRY N. DUNSTAN. PH.D.
MARCH 2010 COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
UNLICENSED USE OR PERFORMANCE STRICTLY PROHIBITED

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