Madama Butterfly/Madamu Batafurai: Transpositions of a "Japanese Tragedy.".

Arthur Groos' article, "Madama Butterfly/Madamu Batafurai: Transpositions of a 'Japanese Tragedy,'" is a thorough examination of Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly and its cultural significance. The author delves into the opera's origins and its role in the exchange between East and West. Groos also explores how Madama Butterfly has been embraced in Japanese culture and its influence on modern Broadway. This meticulously researched book is a valuable resource for scholars interested in opera studies and East/West cultural studies. It discusses the collaborative process between librettists Illica and Giacosa and composer Puccini, as well as the influence of Loti's novel Madame Chrysanthème on Puccini's work. The text also provides a comprehensive account of the performing history and traditions of Madama Butterfly in Japan, arguing that the opera explores the tragic consequences of cultural differences and calls for understanding and empathy. Groos is commended for his advocacy of Puccini's efforts to create a global village of song. The article briefly mentions another book, "The Musical Language of Italian Opera, 1813-1859" by William Rothstein. [Extracted from the article]