Madama Butterfly by Puccini must be one of the most popular operas performed for it has a tear jerking love story,soaring melodic music,one of the longest and most beautiful love duets written,the humming bird chorus and of course the ever popular aria "One Fine Day"

The production, sung in Italian with English surtitles, by the Ukraine National Opera of Odessa at the Bristol Hippodrome is one to remember.The international Korean soprano Rosa Lee Thomas playing Madame Butterfly has a marvellously expressive voice and gave a virtuoso performance singing the duets and arias with strength, clarity and feeling. Being physically suited to the part she brought to it a natural tenderness and fatalistic acceptance of her fate which was truly touching. Her final scene where she commits hari kiri was almost too heart rending to watch. She rightfully deserved her curtain calls.

Lt.Pinkerton played by the tenor Ahmed Agadi wasparticularly good in his rendering of "Amore o  and Grillo" and he blended well with Rosa Lee Thamas in the love duet. The baritone Vladimir Dragos was convincing in playing the Consul Sharpness. The performance of the mezzo soprano Tatiana Busuioc playing the maid Suzuki and the tenor Anatole Arcea playing Goro must be mentioned.

The chorus gave a a good rendition of the well known humming bird chorus and the orchestra following a somewhat hesitant start acquited themselves well under the baton of Andriy Yurkevych.The staging with a Japanese water garden,waterfalls and aquariums added to the enjoyment of an excellent evening. A production to see. 

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