Madama Butterfly, Civic Theatre, Darlington

THIS was a production by Ellen Kent, hailed as the foremost impresario of opera and ballet in the UK and Ireland for 23 years. She is famous for spectacle, having featured naked ladies, live animals including a golden eagle and royal greyhounds.

The set was pretty, but not exceptional. However, the performance left nothing to be desired. The singing of Alyona Kistenyova was all one could wish for in soprano excellence, and Ruslan Zinevych’s fine tenor voice was a very creditable Pinkerton.

The little boy, child of Butterfly and Pinkerton, Yusuf Azam, was provided by Stagecoach Darlington. He was amazing! A tiny child, standing, sitting, kneeling to order, and never putting a foot wrong.

The outstanding performance of the evening, however, was without a doubt the Butterfly of Kistenyova. She has a superb soprano voice, and this must be one of the most demanding roles in opera, as Butterfly is on stage almost every moment of the opera, and has a formidable singing part. Everything hangs upon her performance, and Kistenyova did not disappoint.

Ruslan Zinevych’s Pinkerton was also well delivered. He has a fine tenor voice, refined and smooth, yet strong and confident as called-for by the part. They made a handsome pair, though Kistenyova is rather taller than one imagines a "Butterfly" would be. They sang well together, their voices beautifully tuned to each other’s, and the love duet in the first act was superb.

Suzuki – Butterfly’s maid and companion – was another excellent performer. She was everything that could be wished, showing the devout, loyal, deeply caring qualities the role calls for in her singing and acting.

The honours of the evening, however, go to Alyona Kistenyova. This was a tour de force.

Irene MacDonald