n the 1890’s, at the small house on top of a hill in Nagasaki, Japan, Pinkerton, an officer in the American Navy, has arranged to take a Japanese wife. Sharpless, the American consul, advises Pinkerton that his actions are hasty, but Pinkerton ignores this advice. Pinkerton marries a beautiful geisha named Cio-Cio-San, known as Madam Butterfly.

After their wedding, Pinkerton returns to America. Three years pass but Cio-Cio-San still believes that he will return to her. One day, Sharpless visits her with a letter from Pinkerton, but cannot bring himself to reveal the contents of the letter as Cio-Cio-San looks so happy with their son, of whom Pinkerton knows nothing. After Sharpless leaves, Cio-Cio-San confirms that an American battleship to which Pinkerton is assigned, has entered the port at Nagasaki.

Sharpless appears with Pinkerton and Kate, his new American wife. Pinkerton, overcome with guilt, flees the house, leaving Cio-Cio-San to come in and see only Kate. Realizing the bitter truth, Cio-Cio-San agrees to give her son up, but insists that Pinkerton must return for him. Cio-Cio-San, realizing the shame this situation has brought, returns to her culture's code of honor as Pinkerton runs in, calling out her name. 

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