On a terrace above Nagasaki harbour. Lieutenant B. F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker, Goro, who has procured him a geisha wife known as Madam Butterfly. To American Consul Sharpless. Pinkerton describes his carefree philosophy of pleasure. For the moment, he is enchanted with the fragile Butterfly and intends to go through a marriage ceremony with her. When Sharpless warns that the girl may not take her vows lightly, the Lieutenant brushes aside such scruples, adding that he will one day takes a �greal�h American wife. At hat moment Butterfly is heard in the distance joyously singing of her wedding day. On arrival, surrounded by her friends, she tells Pinkerton how, when her family fell on hard times, she had to earn her living as a geisha. Soon her relatives arrive and noisily express their opinions on the marriage. When she finds a quiet moment. Butterlfly hsows her bridegroom her few earthly treasures, telling him her intention of embracing his Christian faith. With much pomp and ceremony the imperial commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, after which she guests toast the cople. Suddenly Butterfly�fs uncle Bonzo, a priest, bursts upon the scene, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors�f religion. Pinkerton angrily orders the priest and family to leave. Alone with bride, he dries her tears and reminds her htat night is falling. Helped by her maid Suzuki into a pure white kimono. Butterfly joins the ardent Pinkerton in the garden, where they sing of their love.

Act IIThree years later, Butterfly still waits for her husband�fs return. As Suzuki prays to her gods for aid, her mistress has her eyes fixed on the harbour. The maid urges Butterfly to remarry, for Pinkerton will never return. Butterfly asserts her faith � one fine day his ship will appear on the horizon. The Consul comes with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Butterfly. Goro brings the latest suitor for her hand. The girl dismisses both him and the wealthy Prince Yamadori, insisting that her American husband has not deserted her. When they are alone. Sharpless again starts to read her the letter, suggesting as tactfully as he can that Pinkerton may never return. Butterfly proudly carries forth their child, insisting that as soon as Pinkerton knows of his son, he will surely come back. Moved by her devotion and lacking the heart to tell her of Pinkerton�fs remarriage, Sharpless leaves. Butterfly hears a cannons shot; seizing a spyglass, she discovers Pinkerton�fs ship entering the harbour. Delirious with joy, she and Suzuki strew the house with flower petals. Then, as night falls, she dons her wedding gown and, with her son and Suzuki, waits for her husband's return.