REVIEW: Madam Butterfly at Brighton

The damp streets of Brighton seemed much less vibrant on May 29 having watched The Russian State Opera of Siberia's opening night at the Theatre Royal.

What a tragic tale it is and the cast managed to engage the audience in their emotions throughout.

Utter cad Lieutenant Pinkerton marries 15-year-old lovestruck Geisha Butterfly in Nagasaki but from the very start we learn his main aim is to marry an American woman.

American consul Sharpless begs him to forget the Japanese marriage but the wedding goes ahead, even though Butterfly's friends and family abandon her after a Buddhist monk reproaches her for abandoning her faith.

Pinkerton leaves for America and for three years Butterfly and the young son Pinkerton knows nothing of wait and watch for his ship to return.

Eventually, he does appear, with his American wife in tow, and she urges Butterfly to hand over the child.

No longer able to live with honour, Butterfly agrees to give up her son and kills herself.

Mikhail Urusov was convincing as Pinkerton, showing the two sides of his character in front of the men and Butterfly.

An outstanding performance was given by Anastasia Lepeshinskaya as Butterfly's maid Suzuki and her voice complemented perfectly that of her mistress.

Star of the show had to be Svetlana Ratslaf in the title role. Her voice and actions vividly depicted her feelings of love, joy, sorrow and despair as the true character of her husband were revealed to her.

A key part in the opera is that of Sharpless and German Efremov played well the decent but weak man who could have prevented the tragedy taking place.

Marriage broker Goro was given some humour by Boris Sabirov.

A packed house rewarded the performers, including The Russian State Opera Orchestra and conductor Alexander Kosinskiy, with resounding and welll-deserved applause.

May 30 gives a chance to see the same company perform La Traviata and on May 31 they stage La Boheme at Theatre Royal Brighton.

Tickets are 15.50 to 31, from the box office on 08700 606 650, the groups hotline on 08700 606 617 or click here

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