Madama Butterfly (Giacomo Puccini)

Question 1

date of premiere

Answer 1

1904

Question 2

genre

Answer 2

Italian verisimo opera (tragèdia giapponese)

Question 3

source

Answer 3

based on a play by David Belasco

Question 4

plot summary

Answer 4

you know this. Characters = Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San), B. F. Pinkerton, Suzuki, Sharpless, Kate, Goro, Prince Yamadori, the Bonze (uncle), and Trouble

Question 5

librettists

Answer 5

Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica

Question 6

setting

Answer 6

Nagasaki, Japan. ~1900.

Question 7

Prelude: tempo

Answer 7

Allegro

Question 8

Prelude: time signature

Answer 8

2/4

Question 9

Prelude: key

Answer 9

C minor

Question 10

Prelude: character

Answer 10

agitated quality through aggressive articulation, accents, incisive rhythms, and overlapping voices

Question 11

Prelude: texture

Answer 11

contrapuntal (fugal)

Question 12

Prelude: notes

Answer 12

vigoroso, features strings, and European polyphony in marked contrast to Japanese monophony

Question 13

Un: context

Answer 13

Act 2, Scene 1

Question 14

Un: form

Answer 14

ABAC

Question 15

Un: genre

Answer 15

soprano aria

Question 16

Un: key

Answer 16

G flat major

Question 17

Un: tempo

Answer 17

Andante molto calmo

Question 18

Un: time signature

Answer 18

3/4

Question 19

Un: character/mood

Answer 19

simple, yet emotional

Question 20

Un: plot

Answer 20

Response to Suzuki’s doubts that Pinkerton will return. One dine day his ship will appear on the horizon. Upon landing, he will ascend to this house in search of me. I shall hide, out of playfulness, and also so as to not die in his embrace. He will call me pet names. This is how it will be.

Question 21

Un: plot

Answer 21

Response to Suzuki’s doubts that Pinkerton will return. One dine day his ship will appear on the horizon. Upon landing, he will ascend to this house in search of me. I shall hide, out of playfulness, and also so as to not die in his embrace. He will call me pet names. This is how it will be.

Question 22

Un: texture

Answer 22

homophonic

Question 23

Un: A

Answer 23

begins high, slowly works it’s way down, contains frequent leaps of 3rds and 4ths, and employs violinata (orchestral doubling of vocal line). rubato-like effect (through rit’s rall’s etc)

Question 24

Un: B

Answer 24

“Mi metto là sul ciglio el colle”. Time signature changes to 2/4. Pentatonic minor melody implies F minor. con semplicità. recitative-like parlando style achieved through fast-repeated notes, often on same pitch, supported by orchestral chords

Question 25

Un: A1

Answer 25

“per non morire al primo incontro”. con forza, recommencing on high G flat on “die” (tragic foreshadowing). also quasi-parlando

Question 26

Un: C

Answer 26

“Tutto questo averrà”. still recitative-like. Melody rises broadly, climactic high B flat on the words “await him”.

Question 27

Characteristics of Romanticism

Answer 27

1. expression of emotions are central to the music
2. lyrical melody
3. wide range of dynamics and conrasts
4. Programmatic structure
5. Exoticism

Question 28

Review and Reflection

Answer 28

Lyrical and expansive