Madame Butterfly May 18, 2007

'Madame Butterfly' was composed by Giacomo Puccini in 1904. The tragedy of the young geisha, Cio-Cio-San who has been waiting for her American "husband" to return, is one of the most beloved stories in all of opera. Cio-Cio-San remains faithful to the memory of the army officer but he has not been as faithful to her, believing their "marriage" to be no more than a dalliance. When he does come back it is with his American wife, thus ending Cio Cio San's dream of happiness. Her beautiful aria, 'Un bel di vedremo,' captures all the tragic longing of this magnificent heroine.