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Old September 26th 04, 11:24 AM
Cub Driver
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On 25 Sep 2004 23:44:15 GMT, ost (Chris Mark) wrote:

The amasing of
American "imperial" power has scarcely followed the classic European pattern at
all. It has operated by the techniques of trade, investment and profitable
sales in foreign markets


In Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly, the USS "Abraham Lincoln" sails
into Nagasaki(!) Bay, and an American lieutenant named Pinkerton meets
and marries a local girl on a 99-year lease (subject to cancelation at
any time). Just before the wedding there's a fairly long discussion of
how the "Yankee sailor" goes about the world, doing business and
meeting women. At the end of this bit of business, Pinkerton and the
American consul raise their whiskey glasses and toast: "America
forever!"

It is the only English in the opera--indeed, the only English I can
recall in any Puccini opera. Even when he composed an opera about "The
Girl of the Golden West" (La Fancuilla del West), he wasn't moved to
include any English dialogue.

all the best -- Dan Ford
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