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La Bohème
Don Giovanni
Gianni Schicchi
Madame Butterfly
The Marriage of
Figaro
I Pagliacci
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Madame Butterfly
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by Giacomo Puccini
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"Better to die with honor than to live in dishonor"
Puccini's most heart-breaking drama contrasts undying devotion
with exploitation and betrayal. Experience it more deeply than ever
before in this touching new translation.
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Act II Butterfly: "Un bel di vedremo..."
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"One day it will be there, far out, where the sky meets the sea, a
slender thread of smoke that rises above the water. A great white
warship! Steaming into the harbor, she will fire her cannon. There
it is! I can see it! I want to run to meet him. But, no, I will
stand right at the edge of the hill, and wait as long as it takes for
him to get here, and not grow weary.
Then down below, coming out of the city, a man, like a tiny ant,
begins to climb up our hillside. Do you know who he is? When he
has reached the top, do you know what he will do? He will call
out, 'Butterfly, where are you?' I will not answer yet. I will keep
myself hidden, partly to tease him, but mostly, so not to die from
his first embrace! Then, anxiously, again he will call for me,
crying, 'Oh, darling little wife! Oh, my cherry blossom!', sweet
names he gave me on the day we were married.
It will be just that way, I know it! You choose to live in fear, but
I have faith! He will come!"
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Copyright Kenneth Jakobs 2005-2006 All rights reserved
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