Mrs. Pinkerton

An Outline for an Opera based on Madame Butterfly

BACKGROUND

I think there’s great potential for a new opera that re-tells the tragic ending of Madame Butterfly. The following is how I think the story could be told. Please let me know if anyone is interested in making this happen!

SITUATION

Despite some of the most beautiful music ever written for an opera, many Madame Butterfly fans find themself distraught over the tragic ending. Some say it ruined their experience, and are discouraged from ever again witnessing this wonderful opera again.

SOLUTION

If Mozart could base his Marriage of Figaro on Rossini’s Barber of Seville, why can’t another composer create a new opera that opens where Puccini’s Madame Butterfly ends? Imagine an added twist that makes possible the secretive scheming, false identities, madcap comedy, exotic romances and happy endings proven so popular with opera fans. If successful, audiences might think quite differently about that final scene in the traditional Madame Butterfly, knowing that a different — and much more enjoyable — ending awaits at the conclusion of Mrs. Pinkerton.

BACKGROUND

In the original opera, Madame Butterfly, by Giacomo Puccini, the story begins in 1904.

Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the US Navy is stationed at Nagasaki, Japan.

His young outlook on life is shaped by the image of the fearless Yankee adventurer, searching the world for experience and pleasure.
Through his friend, Sharpless (who is also the American Consul), Pinkerton leases a house, which comes with servants and an arranged marriage with a 15-year-old geisha named Cio-Cio-San (nicknamed Butterfly).
Butterfly’s once-prominent family has fallen in wealth and reputation, punctuated by the suicide of her father. Nevertheless, they denounce her when, blind with love, she agrees to adopt Pinkerton’s Christian religion.
Pinkerton is conflicted. He returns Butterly’s love, yet believes an American wife is better for him in the long run. He marries Butterfly regardless, but soon leaves for three years, unaware that he also leaves her with a son, born after his departure.
Meanwhile, Butterfly refuses the attentions of other suitors, insisting her American husband has not deserted her. She and her faithful servant Suzuki patiently await Pinkerton’s return.
In the spring of 1907, Pinkerton is back, bringing Kate, his American wife. He hopes Sharpless and Suzuki will break the bad news to Butterfly for him, but upon visiting the house, he fondly remembers his home with Butterfly, is overcome with guilt, and leaves.
Finding that Kate plans to take her son, Butterfly decides suicide is better than living in shame.
Butterfly says goodbye to her son, then stabs herself just as Pinkerton arrives. He discovers Butterfly lying prostrate on the floor, and promptly flees.
The End…or perhaps not?

NOTES

The title, Mrs. Pinkerton, is intentionally ambiguous, because as the audience will discover, there are three Mrs. Pinkertons in this opera — Madame Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San), Kate (Lieutenant Pinterton’s wife) and Lieutenant Pinkerton’s mother, who accompanied her son to Japan but was not introduced in the original opera.
Although opening in 1904 Japan (when Madame Butterfly ended), the main opera location almost immediately shifts to Honolulu, Hawai’i, where the ship has stopped on its way from Nagasaki to the mainland, during the summer of 1907.
The original libretto describes Lt. Pinkerton and Butterfly’s child as having blue eyes and blond, curly hair. Genetically, this would be virtually impossible if Butterfly was entirely of Japanese descent; however, this anomaly is addressed in the retelling of their story via Mrs. Pinkerton.

PRIMARY ROLES

Cio-Cio-San (aka Madame Butterfly)	A former geisha who married Pinkerton, and who is the mother of his son; she is now 18 years old
Suzuki	Butterfly’s faithful servant
Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton	A Lieutenant in the US Navy
Sharpless	Consul at the American Embassy in Nagasaki
Kate Pinkerton	Lt. Pinkerton’s American wife
Florence Pinkerton	Lt. Pinkerton’s widowed mother
Adam Williams	Captain of the ship traveling from Nagasaki to Honolulu
Young Japanese Man	Hotel employee who serves interpreter for Lt. Pinkerton
Young Pinkerton	The son of Lt. Pinkerton and Butterfly

SYNOPSIS

OPENING

A spring day in Japan, 1907. The opening scene is a recreation of the final set of Madame Butterfly, and is intended to both anchor the timeline for audience members already familiar with the original opera, and to set the stage for those new to the story. Butterfly has already sent her son away with Suzuki.

SCENE:	[Butterfly appears to dramatically stab herself, and slumps to the ground, quiet.]
	[Lt. Pinkerton rushes in and halts short of Butterfly. He turns away in grief and anguish, and departs, sobbing.]
MUSIC:	Theme(s) reminiscent[1] of the original score swell, then slowly fade.
	[Butterfly’s head pops up. She looks around quickly to ensure she is alone.]
BUTTERFLY (stage whisper):	Suzuki?
	[Suzuki rushes to Butterfly’s side, helps her up.]
SUZUKI:	“Hurry! There isn’t much time! Let’s go and get your son!”
	[Suzuki and Butterfly rush off stage, the curtain falls, and the overture begins.]

ACT I

The main set is the shipboard quarters for the Pinkertons, consisting of two connected cabins. Lt. Pinkerton, Kate and the boy are occupying one; his mother, Mrs. Pinkerton, is preparing to move into the other. Sharpless has resigned his consulate position, and is returning to America on the same ship as the Pinkertons. Their schedule includes a stopover in Honolulu.

This is a different ship than the one on which they arrived, and accommodations are not quite as comfortable. Everyone is settling in as best the can for the journey back to America. Kate expresses excitement about going home and having all their problems resolved. Lt. Pinkerton is not so enthusiastic, finding himself deeply remorseful about Butterfly’s apparent suicide. He tends to ignore Kate, and instead focuses his attention on the boy. Lt. Pinkerton’s own experience growing up without a father is heavy on his mind, and he vows his own son will grow up knowing his father.
The ship embarks, and Sharpless drops in to wish the newlyweds health and happiness. Kate is clearly not feeling well, and instructs the men to leave her to suffer through her seasickness alone. Once out of her earshot, Lt. Pinkerton complains to Sharpless that his family experience growing up without a father leaves him unprepared for such a challenging spouse, and Butterfly seemed much more devoted to him than Kate. Sharpless hints that Kate may be experiencing morning sickness. Lt. Pinkerton confides that, between a rushed wedding in Honolulu (at Kate’s insistence), and Kate also being constantly seasick on the way to Japan, they have not yet consummated their marriage. They have a good-hearted laugh about it, and Sharpless assures Lt. Pinkerton that all will be well, one way or another.
The captain, Mr. Williams, stops by to see Mrs. Pinkerton, who is not seasick, but clearly overwhelmed as she attempts to unpack her considerable luggage on her own. He apologies for the delay in finding help for her, and proudly summons a disguised Butterfly and Suzuki, explaining how he caught them trying to stow away. When they begged him to let them work for passage to America, he was impressed with their English, and agreed.
In their rush to escape, Butterfly and Suzuki had not fully thought out a long-term strategy, deciding to stow away on the ship until they could find a way to sneak off with the boy. Stunned to be thrust into the middle of the family, Butterfly and Suzuki nervously assure Mrs. Pinkerton that they will take care of preparing her room and belongings for the journey home, in order that she can spend time getting to know her fine grandson.
At that moment, there is a knock on the door, and a voice calls out for Mrs. Pinkerton. Both Lt. Pinkerton’s mother and Butterfly turn toward the door, but Butterfly catches herself and tries to cover it up with a nervous giggle.
Although she did not previously meet Butterfly and Suzuki, Mrs. Pinkerton nevertheless becomes suspicious. She decides to pretend to innocently befriend Butterfly, and before she leaves the room, gets Butterfly to agree to teach her some of the Japanese language, presumably to help pass the time on the journey.
Meanwhile, Sharpless is especially attentive toward Kate, who is often alone nursing her seasickness. During one visit, he attempts to draw attention away from her illness by commending the boy for his excellent manners and sharp intelligence, and predicts he will grow up to be a handsome man with strikingly unusual good looks (Japanese features with blue eyes and curly blond hair). Kate does eventually join in the conversation, and although they are initially focused on the boy, it slowly becomes apparent that they also very much admire each other.
At some point, the boy recognizes his birth mother, but Butterfly and Suzuki attempt to laugh this off as a childish mistake. Nevertheless, the journey home is a comedy of hiding the true identities of Butterfly and Suzuki from Lt. Pinkerton, Kate and the occasional Sharpless. Confusion and comedy also continue when Kate, her mother-in-law and Butterfly all inadvertently answer when “Mrs. Pinkerton” is called.

ACT II

It is clear that Mrs. Pinkerton is an intelligent, educated and shrewd woman. The personal library in her cabin, where the second act opens, includes literary and scientific publications. She is a quick study, and is not only impressing Butterfly with how well she is picking up Japanese, but she also finds herself intrigued by a recent revival in the Mendelian Principles and the Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance.

As her grandson plays at her feet, Mrs. Pinkerton consults her publications and mulls over her grandchild’s blond hair and blue eyes, seemingly impossible for a half-Japanese child, and wonders if she will ever resolve this genetic mystery. Whatever his background, she concludes that she cannot help but love the child, and vows to ensure his happiness.
As the ship nears Honolulu, Butterfly fears she and Suzuki are not up to the challenges of confronting Mrs. Pinkerton and Kate directly, and claiming the child. Thinking she is alone, Butterfly laments to herself aloud, unaware that Mrs. Pinkerton is within hearing distance. Although Mrs. Pinkerton does not comprehend every word, she hears Lt. Pinkerton’s name, and is shocked when she understands enough Japanese to realize Butterfly is not dead, but alive and masquerading as her personal maid. Clearly, she wants her child — and husband — back.
Mrs. Pinkerton immediately confronts Butterfly, who confesses, but emphasizes she only wanted her son to know his father, and now, his esteemed grandmother. A distraught Butterfly announces she cannot live with a second failure, and heads for the railing to throw herself overboard. Mrs. Pinkerton calls for Suzuki’s help, and together they stop Butterfly.
Mrs. Pinkerton offers her own confession. She never did like Kate, and suspects Kate only married Lt. Pinkerton for the family wealth he would eventually inherit. She adds that Lt. Pinkerton never seemed very enthusiastic about the marriage, hastily arranged by Kate just prior to the trip to Japan. This information gives Butterfly and Suzuki renewed hope.
Butterfly has convinced Mrs. Pinkerton that she truly loves her son. The women both speculates that Lt. Pinkerton’s reluctance about about marrying Kate was because he has always been in love with Butterfly. Mrs. Pinkerton is touched by Butterfly’s devotion to her child and his father, as well as the deep respect Butterfly has shown to her, and agrees to help Butterfly and Suzuki with their plan to reunite the family. Those plans will have to wait, because the ship is entering Honolulu harbor at that very moment.

ACT III

The Pinkertons plan to remain in Honolulu for several weeks to recover from their sea voyage, and to allow Mrs. Pinkerton time to pursue personal interests in the area. She retains her “servants” from the ship, and everyone settles into rooms at the Moana Hotel in Waikiki. Sharpless decides to enjoy his time off, and also secures accommodations at the same hotel.

On their first morning, Lt. Pinkerton takes his son to the beach, along with a handsome young translator from the hotel staff. Kate claims to still not be feeling well, and declines to join them. However, when Sharpless shows up and offers to take her to see the newly opened Waikiki Aquarium, she agrees some fresh air might be good for her, and they leave together.
Mrs. Pinkerton announces she will spend her first day reading and relaxing, with the help of Suzuki and Butterfly. Free from the suspicious eyes of the others, Butterfly and Suzuki can unwind a bit, and are not as strict with their disguises. The three retreat to an outdoor lanai, where as they marvel at their beautiful surroundings, Mrs. Pinkerton can clearly see Butterfly for the first time, and notices her lighter complexion, soft brown eyes and wavy hair. Butterfly points out that she almost always hides these features behind her geisha makeup, and jokes that she wishes she got as much attention from the handsome young translator as Suzuki. They laugh, and Mrs. Pinkerton admonishes them to get serious. After all, they have plans to make.
A few days later, it is obvious the pattern has been repeating. Lt. Pinkerton spends his time with his son and translator, Sharpless escorts Kate around the island ostensibly in order to regain her health, and Mrs. Pinkerton plots with Butterfly and Suzuki.
The scheming trio decide to soon spring their trap at dinner in the hotel, where Butterfly, Suzuki and the young man who translates for Lt. Pinkerton often assist with the table. Just as dessert is announced (coconut cream pie), Mrs. Pinkerton proclaims that she is so impressed with Hawai’i, and especially the new University, that she has decided to use the bulk of her estate to help it get established. Sharpless immediately voices support, gradually joined by Lt. Pinkerton, who admits his military career will sufficiently support his son without the family inheritance. No mention is made of Kate, who rises to denounce the decision as selfish and heartless. She confesses she now has second thoughts about her marriage and the direction her life is taking, and leaves the table.
Mrs. Pinkerton watches closely as her son struggles with this revelation. As he laments on his situation, he confesses he had returned to Butterfly that night to announce he would honor their marriage and seek an annulment with Kate, and blames himself for her suicide. Mrs. Pinkerton by now is standing at his chair with her hands on his shoulders as he weeps into a napkin. She tells him that she has something to show him, and asks him to look up.
Butterfly approaches to reveal herself and Suzuki to Lt. Pinkerton and Sharpless. Lt. Pinkerton is astounded, and rushes to take Butterfly in his arms. They express their eternal love and devotion, while Suzuki sidles over to the young translator. As they grasp hands, Kate returns to the table.
Before Kate can say anything, Sharpless rises with his own confession. He has quit his government job because his own father, a wealthy businessman with frequent business in Japan, had passed away, leaving Sharpless his sole heir, and Sharpless has to return to America to settle his father’s estate.
However, there is another part to this confession: Many years ago, his father had also fallen in love with a Japanese woman, but couldn’t marry her because she was already in an arranged marriage, and did not want to disgrace her family. Their shameful secret, which was actually what drove the husband to suicide, was none other than Butterfly. She is Sharpless’s half-sister.
Sharpless describes how for years he tried to covertly help Butterfly while keeping his father’s secret, and hoped the marriage to Lt. Pinkerton would be a happy one for both of them. Regardless, he had intended to tell her everything and give her half his inheritance after their father’s death rendered the scandal irrelevant. Butterfly’s apparent suicide had put an end to those plans, but he could now openly claim the relationship, and begs her forgiveness.
Lt. Pinkerton and Butterfly sit down in shock. He looks from Sharpless to her, and both marvel at the family resemblance, which also explains her mixed-European features, and their child’s fair appearance, with Mrs. Pinkerton nodding in agreement. But before they can say anything further, Kate finally speaks up.
Kate regretfully informs everyone she has returned to tell them of her own father’s insistence that she marry Lt. Pinkerton in order to have the resources to help pay off family debts. She announces that the events of the past few weeks have taught her the value of true love, and she promises to pursue an annulment for her marriage to Lt. Pinkerton. She shyly acknowledges this will also be to her advantage because it frees her to pursue her own romantic interest, who has proven so selflessly committed to her well-being. She approaches Sharpless, and asks if he could possibly love her in return.
In answer, Sharpless tells the group he has already confirmed that Lt. Pinkerton’s marriage to Kate can be annulled almost immediately, which is fortuitous because he wishes to marry Kate as soon as possible, and promises to quickly help settle her family’s debts, so that they can go on with their lives together. The table erupts in chaotic conversations, exclamations, and lots of laughter.
Mrs. Pinkerton rises and gets everyone’s attention. As the table quiets, she tells everyone her plans to leave her estate to the university was originally intended just to test Kate’s commitment. However, she is still sufficiently interested in aiding the university’s future, and in fact is considering to accept an offer to join their board. Her only reluctance is a fear this will take her away from her son, grandson and (she turns to Butterfly) her daughter-in-law. For the first time, they acknowledge each other as Mrs. Pinkerton.
Lt. Pinkerton and Butterfly promise to remain in Honolulu, where he is confident he can secure a local Navy assignment, where their son can get a good education, and where their family can live comfortably. Suzuki and the translator commit to staying as well. Sharpless and Kate will need to return to America to settle their own family matters, but promise to regularly visit everyone in Honolulu. Dessert arrives, and Mrs. Pinkerton orders extras for Butterfly, Suzuki and the young translator, as chairs are added and everyone sits down to enjoy a happy ending to a tumultuous meal.