Fantasy on "Madama Butterfly"

From Wind Repertory Project
Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini (arr. Yo Goto)


General Info

Year: 1903 / 2000
Duration: c. 9:13
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bravo Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $90.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo (Flute III)
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Chimes
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone

Harp
Chorus


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Set near Nagasaki at the beginning of the last century, Madame Butterfly boldly explored the social and moral limits of intercultural relationships. Goto’s crafting reflects the opera’s journey from hope to despair.

-Program Note from publisher.


Puccini’s 1904 opera, Madama Butterfly, is based on a narrative by John Luther Long, combined with David Belasco’s play derived from that story. Long’s 18-page story first appeared in 1898 in Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine and was immediately popular because of the public’s fascination with exotic themes. In the opera, Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the United States Navy marries the young Cho-Cho-San, nicknamed “Madam Butterfly,” and she relinquishes all ties to her friends and family in Japan. The naive Butterfly believes that her marriage is real, and she allows herself to fall in love. Pinkerton departs with his ship, promising to return. During his absence, Butterfly gives birth to his child. She names the boy Trouble, a name she plans to change to Joy when she reunites with her husband. When Pinkerton’s ship finally does return, Butterfly learns that he has married an American woman who wishes to take Butterfly’s child back to the United States. and in despair she takes her own life. Puccini’s emotionally charged Madama Butterfly produces a haunting portrayal of the dangers of misguided love that is at once intimate and overwhelming.

-Program Note by San Jose Wind Symphony


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

None discovered thus far.