Giacomo Puccini [1858-1924]
Pianoforte score
G. Ricordi & Co. London
1906
'A Japanese tragedy founded on the book by John L.
Long
and the drama by David Belasco'.
Artist - Leopoldo Metlicovitz (1868-1944).
226pp
The first performance of Madama Butterfly at Teatro alla Scala on 17th February 1904 was a total fiasco. Puccini revised the work and presented it again three months later with great success.
This cover, which was designed in 1906, perfectly creates the atmosphere of the trusting, devoted Cio- Cio- San (Butterfly) anxiously awaiting the return of her loved one, Pinkerton.
Beautifully designed by Leopoldo Metlicovitz who formed part of the Ricordi team of artists.
Other artwork by Metlicovitz: http://abcmusicmuseum.blogspot.com/2011/10/le-pas-des-cameristes-menuet.html
and http://abcmusicmuseum.blogspot.com/2011/09/la-fanciulla-del-west.html.
Madam Butterfly was first put up in Malta on 18 February 1908 in the Theatre Royal - immediately a success among the Maltese!
