Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

husband, and trustfully expecting his speedy entrance, at once bids her maid decorate the house
with flowers from the garden. Then, having decked herself and the child in bravest array, she sits
down with him to await Pinkertons entrance, watching for him through holes which she makes in
the " shosi," or blinds.
In Act 3 Butterfly, Suzuki and the child are found still in the same position, having watched vainly
throughout the evening and night; and now in the early morning Suzuki begs her drooping but still
hopeful mistress to retire to her chamber and take a little rest, adding that her lord must not find
her weary-looking on his return. These last words alone induce Butterfly to take her maids advice,
and she retires upstairs, taking the sleeping child with her. Soon after, Pinkerton and Sharpless
enter and eagerly greet Suzuki, whose fears for her mistresss happiness are confirmed by
observing a lady outside, who Sharpless informs her is Kate Pinkerton, his friends lawful
American wife. Pinkerton himself is so upset and conscience-stricken on beholding all the signs of
his little Japanese sweethearts constancy and undying love that he rushes away, leaving Sharpless
to settle matters. Kate Pinkerton now comes forward and says she wishes to adopt her husbands
little son; and whilst she is speaking Butterfly herself comes down into the room. At a glance she
at last understands all; and as the dreadful truth dawns upon her she bears the blow with wonderful
calmness, and listens quietly to the gentle request of Kate to adopt the boy. She has no jealousy of
her rival, but sweetly wishes her joy; and then she adds that Pinkerton shall have his child if he
will himself return to fetch him in half-an-hour. Kate, overcome with pity at the sight of such
resigned suffering, retires weeping, with Sharpless, who is also greatly affected; and when they
have gone Butterfly sends her child out to play in the garden with Suzuki, whilst she herself takes
down from the wall a Japanese sword with which her father had committed " Harikiri "(compelled
suicide). She kisses the blade, welcoming it as a kindly friend; for now, deprived of husband and
child, she has no further desire for life. When, therefore, Pinkerton at last enters and calls for his
"little Butterfly," he finds that she has slain herself with the " sword of honour," and that her
loving, faithful heart has ceased to beat.
130. MANON LESCAUT
Opera in Four Acts By Giacomo Puccini
Libretto arranged by the Composer from Abbe Prevosts Novel
First Produced Turin, February, 1893
Chief Characters Manon Lescaut, The Chevalier Des Grieux, Lescaut, Geronte de Ravoir, Edmond
THE action takes place towards the end of the eighteenth century, and Act 1 opens in the
courtyard of an inn at Amiens, where a number of merry students are gathered awaiting the arrival
of the diligence. Amongst these is the Chevalier des Grieux, a handsome young student, who is
destined for the Church, and who is now teased by his companions for his lack of a sweetheart,
they themselves having already secured favours from the pretty work-girls who are passing.
Presently the diligence arrives, and Des Grieux immediately becomes interested in a beautiful
maiden who alights, and whose grace and irresistible charm so completely enthralls him that he
instantly falls in love with her. This maiden is Manon Lescaut, whose brother is conveying her to a
convent to take the vows, this being the fate ordained for her by her parents. Manon, being young
and fond of life, and desiring to taste of all that pleasure has to offer, is sad at the thought of her