Puccini's innocent rapture

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This week we are presenting an analysis of a climactic section from the love duet of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, a passage equally filled with flashes of tenderness and ecstasy.
/ @-momentsmusicaux-
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Madama Butterfly, Act I, Scene 15: “Vogliatemi bene” (Pinkerton & Cio-Cio-San)
Recording: Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Herbert von Karajan and Wiener Philharmoniker.

[@eduardomanrique400]

That tiny I killed me. I love your videos

[@-MomentsMusicaux-]

Just a little fun! :) Thanks for your support

[@bibobabu8756]

This is perhaps the only proper musical Puccini analysis on all of KZbin. Please do more of Puccini these are great!!!!!

[@-MomentsMusicaux-]

Thanks!! We will!

[@ThatOneGuyRAR]

The music here is gorgeous, but whenever I watch this scene it's always kind of disgusting and painful. Pinkerton never says that he loves Butterfly, nor gives any indication that he actually cares for her, instead giving lines like "I've caught you, quivering, I press you to me. You're mine," which indicates that he just sees Butterfly as more of a possession than an actual human or real recipient of affection. Meanwhile, Butterfly gives tons of descriptions of how she loves Pinkerton, and her lyrics are entirely optimistic towards the brightness of the future and the happiness of the present, with lines like "Oh, lovely night! What a lot of stars! Never have I seen them so beautiful! Every spark twinkles and shines with the brilliance of an eye." It's fantastic story writing, the music shows the ecstasy of the moment while the lyrics show the one sidedness of the relationship, creating an all together painful and tragic scene hidden under a veil of sweetness which could only be possible in this sort of operatic setting.

[@richardk1598]

You have to keep making these. What an incredible format and styling for showcasing our favorite moments of music. The history and visuals are absolutely superb, as is your taste.

[@-MomentsMusicaux-]

What a lovely comment. We thank you and promise to keep creating videos of our favourite Moments Musicaux!

[@effigas]

Puccini, the greatest

[@ik6non712]

This is definitely one of my favourite love duets in opera!

[@agustinroca5410]

This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing! What is happening in the argument of the opera at this point?

[@-MomentsMusicaux-]

Hello, thank you! This is the end of the first act. At this point the American Pinkerton and his newly 15 year old wife Butterfly are about to spend their first night together. Although it's a love duet, subliminally it's a bit of a dark scene because he's taking advantage of her. You can see how when the duet begins, Butterfly makes innocent comments about the stars and he only urges her to come closer. In the next act Pinkerton has left, abandoning Butterfly and her son. She waits with hope for his return.

[@Dylonely42]

Except duets from La Bohème and Porgy & Bess, I don’t know anything as moving as this in music.