Act One

Goro shows Pinkerton the house he has just leased for 999 years, where he will house the wife he has agreed to marry for the same term. He notes that both deals can be broken at any time with a month's notice. Sharpless arrives and, in their conversation over drinks, Pinkerton explains his philosophy ("Dovunque al mondo"): to take pleasure wherever he finds it. He further declares that although he doesn't know whether it is love or a whim ("Amore o grillo"), he finds himself fascinated by Butterfly, though he proposes a toast to the day he will be married for real, to an American woman. Sharpless tells him that Butterfly takes the marriage much more seriously; when she visited the consulate, her sincerity touched him. He warns Pinkerton to be careful: it would be wrong to break an utterly trusting heart. Pinkerton laughs these warnings off.

Butterfly and her relations arrive. She tells Sharpless and Pinkerton her age, 15, and her life's story. Her family was once rich, but now they are poor, and she had to become a geisha to support herself. She shows Pinkerton her few possessions, including a dagger, which arouses his curiousity. She says there are too many people around for her to explain, but Goro quietly tells him that the Mikado sent it to her father, who obeyed and used it to kill himself. Butterfly also tells Pinkerton that she has converted to his religion. In a lively ensemble, the relatives comment more or less favorably on Pinkerton's looks and their views of the marriage. The marriage contract is signed, but the following festivities are interrupted by the arrival of the Bonze, who tells them all that Butterfly has renounced her faith, and thus, her family. They renounce her in return, and Pinkerton drives them away. He consoles Butterfly, telling her not to cry. During their extended love duet, "Bimba, bimba," it is clear that he still considers her nothing more than a charming toy, but her feelings are much deeper. They go into the house together.



Act Two

The second act takes place three years later. Suzuki is praying to the gods for help, while Butterfly is convinced that Pinkerton will return, as she declares in the famous "Un bel di," as she imagines his return. Sharpless arrives with a letter containing news from Pinkerton. She greets him effusively, but before they can exchange more than a few words, Prince Yamadori arrives with Goro. Yamadori wants to marry Butterfly, but she refuses, saying she is a married woman. They remind her that according to Japanese law, Pinkerton's having left her is the equivalent of a divorce, but she responds that she is an American and such laws, which let a man leave a wife when he tires of her, do not apply to her. Yamadori leaves in frustration, followed by Goro. Sharpless starts to read the letter, but she reacts so joyfully at even the first few words that he cannot bear to finish reading the letter. He asks her what she would do if Pinkerton were never to come back, and, utterly bewildered at the thought, she says she would go back to her life as a geisha or, better, die rather than lead such a life again. He advises her to forget Pinkerton and marry the rich Yamadori. She finally understands that Pinkerton might have forgotten her, but shows Sharpless the child she bore after Pinkerton left. Now he is named Trouble, but when Pinkerton returns, she will change his name to Joy. Sharpless promises to tell Pinkerton of his son's existence and departs. Suzuki screams in rage at Goro, who has been saying that in America, a child without a father is considered an outcast. Butterfly seizes her father's dagger to threaten him and he runs away. The two women hear the sound of the cannon that announces the arrival of a ship. It is Pinkerton's ship, and Butterfly exults that her love has triumphed entirely. She and Suzuki, in the Flower Duet, strip the garden of flowers to adorn the house. Butterfly dresses in her wedding gown and the three of them wait for Pinkerton's arrival. A chorus hums softly.

The next morning, Butterfly has not slept, and when Suzuki wakes up, she persuades Butterfly to get some rest. Pinkerton and Sharpless arrive and, to Suzuki's despair, tell her that the woman with them is Pinkerton's wife, Kate. They have come to ask Butterfly to give Pinkerton and Kate the child, and ask Suzuki for her help to do what's best for the child: "Io so che alle sue pene." Pinkerton, realizing that Butterfly has waited for him, is overcome with remorse: "Addio, fiorito asil." Sharpless angrily reminds Pinkerton of his warnings and how they have come all too true. Pinkerton gives Sharpless money to give to Butterfly and rushes off, condemning himself as too cowardly to face her. Butterfly comes in and cannot understand why Pinkerton is not there, but Suzuki and Sharpless are downcast. She sees Kate and realizes what has happened. Kate asks for her forgiveness, whereupon Butterfly tells her there should be no woman on Earth happier than she and not to be saddened over her own plight. She agrees to give up the child if Pinkerton himself comes to fetch him. Kate and Sharpless leave. Butterfly tells Suzuki to go out to play in the garden with the child. Alone, she raises the dagger to her throat ("Con onore muore") and Suzuki pushes the child into the room. She bids him a loving farewell, "Tu, tu, tu," and blindfolds him. She cuts her throat and dies as Pinkerton rushes into the house, calling her name.

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