Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" is a tragic tale which is told in the popular opera style called verismo. The Italian word for realism, verismo was very popular in Italy during the 1890s and early 1900s. Puccini was a master of this style. He told true and gritty stories which often culminated in a violent ending. The Italian composer's heroines are instantly recognizable with their strength and fragility, and in his opera "Madama Butterfly". His heroine is Cio-Cio-San, a young geisha.Puccini's love for exoticism is notable in the choice of settings and subject matter of his operas. Turandot, Madama Butterfly, and Girl of the Golden West all show his fascination with exotic lands and foreign cultures. In total, Giacomo Puccini wrote 12 operas including Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, and Tosca.