Madama Butterfly

The Chisinau National Opera's production of this Puccini classic was a truly magnificent event – a show, as the programme claims, "full of Eastern promise." The epic tragedy came to life on an exquisite set – the beautiful replica of an oriental garden provided a perfect setting of tranquil fragility on which the moving and desperate story unraveled, while vibrantly coloured traditional costumes added to an overall visual effect of exquisite attention to detail. The vocal performances were faultless, and of especial note were Galina Bernaz as Cio Cio San and Nadejda Stoianova as Suzuki, whose voices were especially powerful at times and tender at others. The only minor problem was the large subtitle screen hanging disconcertingly above the stage - at times distracting from the action itself. However, the majority of the audience were too engrossed in the show to notice. An engaging, touching and musically impressive show, Ellen Kent Productions present another timelessly enduring piece of opera. [Michael Whitam]