Madam Butterfly dates from 1904 and is a vivid example, with lessons for today, of harrowing tragedy brought about by a culture-clash.

American naval lieutenant F. B. Pinkerton lives in a world where local customs and sensitivities count for little in the pursuit of personal satisfaction - and so his liaison with the teenage geisha Cio-Cio-San (Madam Butterfly) is a dalliance; but for her it is real. The resulting marriage causes Butterfly to be rejected by her family. Pinkerton leaves and three years pass in which Butterfly's faith in him remains undiminished, in spite of other offers of marriage. She assures the embarrassed consul, Sharpless, that she sees herself as an American wife in an American home. But Sharpless has been sent by Pinkerton to try to let Butterfly down gently. He fails, and is mortified when Butterfly produces the son she has had by the American.

Pinkerton returns with his American wife, Kate, to take the child away, but although he admits his guilt, he will not face Butterfly - Sharpless is left to do that. Butterfly tells him she will give up her child if Pinkerton returns. She prays to the Buddha she had rejected, and stabs herself. Pinkerton returns, but too late ...