About this edition
Few operas have captured the tragic collision of cultures with the emotional precision of Madama Butterfly. Puccini's three-act tale of Cio-Cio-San — the young Nagasaki geisha who stakes her life on the faithfulness of an American naval officer — represents the composer at the height of his orchestral and dramatic powers, weaving authentic Japanese melodies (including fragments of "Sakura" and the Japanese national anthem) into a lush late-Romantic score whose Humming Chorus, "Un bel dì," and devastating finale remain touchstones of the operatic repertoire.
This volume reproduces the historically significant G. Ricordi full orchestral score — originally issued in Milan in 1907 (plate 111378) and reissued in a new engraving in 1920 (plate P.R. 112). Ricordi was Puccini's lifelong publisher, and these editions reflect the revisions Puccini made after the disastrous 1904 La Scala premiere, including the division of Act II into two parts and substantial cuts and re-orchestrations that produced the standard performing version heard in opera houses today. As a Ricordi house edition prepared under the composer's supervision, this score remains a foundational reference for conductors, répétiteurs, and Puccini scholars.
About this edition:
- Full orchestral score (conductor's score), Italian text
- Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Reproduced from the Ricordi engravings of 1907 (plate 111378) and the 1920 reissue (plate P.R. 112)
- Sourced from a public domain original
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing
This edition makes a treasured public domain score conveniently available in print, so conductors, singers, orchestral musicians, and students can study and perform one of the great masterworks of the lyric stage from a clear, historically grounded source. We hope it serves you well in the rehearsal room, the library, and the pit.
