Japan, early twentieth century. U.S. Navy Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton inspects the house he has leased from a marriage broker. The broker, Goro, has procured him three servants and a geisha wife, Cio-Cio-San, known as Madama Butterfly. He is enchanted with the fragile Cio-Cio-San. Cio-Cio-San is heard in the distance joyously singing of her wedding. In a quiet moment, Cio-Cio-San shows her bridegroom her few earthly treasures and tells him of her intention to embrace his Christian faith. The Imperial Commissioner performs the wedding ceremony, and the guests toast the couple. The celebration is interrupted by Cio-Cio-San's uncle, a Buddhist priest, who bursts in, cursing the girl for having renounced her ancestors' religion. Alone with Cio-Cio-San in the moonlit garden, her husband dries her tears, and she joins him in singing of their love.
Daniela Dessì
as Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-san)
Fabio Armiliato
as B. F. Pinkerton
Juan Pons
as Sharpless
Rossana Rinaldi
as Suzuki
Maria Cioppi
as Kate Pinkerton
Luca Casalin
as Goro
Marco Camastra
as Yamadori
Riccardo Zanellato
as Bonzo
Salvatore Ferrari
as Yakusidé
Stefano La Colla
as The registrar
Marco Camastra
as The Imperial Commissioner
Sandra Mellace
as Cio-Cio-san's Mother
