Madama Butterfly took wing under turbulent circumstances. The premiere (Milan, Teatro alla Scala, 17 February 1904) was a disaster, while a second production only months later (Brescia, Teatro Grande, 28 May 1904) was instead a resounding success. Inthe intervening period the composer had made considerable changes to the score, enough that the result qualifies as a “second version”. Still other changes were to come, however, as the opera toured in successive productions. The definitive version,w...