Humming Chorus – Madame Butterfly – Giacomo Puccini

   I have chosen to research the Humming Chorus from the Opera "Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini. It is an opera performed in three acts. It is based partially on a short story by John Luther Long titled Madame Butterfly. Long based part of his short story off of the stories told to him by his older sister and part off of the semi autobiographical 1887 French novel, Madame Chrysantheme by Pierre Loti.
   This sad opera takes place in Japan and is about a devoted wife willing to do whatever it takes in the name of love. A young U.S. navy lieutenant, Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton has arranged to acquire a fifteen year old Japanese girl bride, Cio-Cio-San (Madama Butterfly). Pinkerton buys a lease overlooking the Nagasaki harbor in Japan that can be canceled as well as the wedding within a month's notice. An American consult and one of Pinkerton's friends come to see the wedding and warn Pinkerton not to take the marriage lightly because Butterfly is truly in love with him. Although Pinkerton explains that he loves her as well, before she arrives, Pinkerton says a toast to the American women he will one day marry. Butterfly and pinkerton become married and then Pinkerton leaves for war and doesn't contact Butterfly for three years. Butterfly finally hears word about PInkerton from the American consult that Pinkerton has wed the American women. Butterfly calls for her son, sure that PInkerton will come for her is he realizes he has a son. Pinkerton comes to Japan with his wife Kate and explains to Butterfly that Kate and him would like to take his son back to live in America with them. Pinkerton flees, to afraid to face Butterfly. Butterfly agrees that they can take her son if Pinkerton agrees to meet with her that day. Butterfly says farewell to her son then commits suicide. Pinkerton walks in the door, to find her dead.
   The Humming Chorus is happening when Pinkerton is coming to shore with his new American wife. It is the sound of calmness in Butterfly's tragic love story.
   This song contrasts with the surroundings of the play and the feelings of the characters. Puccini creates a sense of slumber by making sure the vocal lines never move at the same times as the accompanying instrumentalists.

Works Cited: Hopkins, Kate. "Madama Butterfly." Royal Opera House. Arts Council England, 17 Mar. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

  "Madama Butterfly." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.