AN opera company from Ukraine is touring the UK for the first time ever and will be performing two shows in Darlington next month.

Coming all the way from Dnipro, the Ukrainian National Opera, featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a live orchestra of more than 30 musicians, will present Madama Butterfly and Carmen.

Madama Butterfly, with music by Giacomo Puccini, is one of the most exotic yet tragic of operas. Set in Japan at the turn of the last century, it is the story of a doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride, whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to tragedy.

The compelling tale of Madama Butterfly remained Puccini’s favourite opera. His theatrical achievement also gave the world its most sublime and beautiful arias in history – One Fine Day and Love Duet, as well as the Humming Chorus, which is popular with opera-goers.

The second opera to be performed is Carmen, with music by Georges Bizet. Feel the thrill of love, jealousy and violence of 19th century Seville in one of Bizet’s most popular operas. Its mix of fierce passion, gorgeous melodies, dramatic confrontation and musical wit has found favour all over the world almost since its first performance in 1875.

Producer, Alexej Ignatow of Amande Concerts Ltd, said: “We are really excited to be presenting this opera company to UK audiences in these difficult times. The journey has been extremely challenging, but I am glad we have overcome the many extraordinary obstacles and have now received all the necessary visas and clearances for the Ukrainian artists.”

Tickets for Madama Butterfly on Tuesday, March 14, and Carmen on Wednesday, March 15, are on sale now. To book, call the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk.