King's Lynn Corn Exchange hosts Ukrainian National Opera performing Madama Butterfly

The Ukrainian National Opera performed in a stunning rendition of Giacomo Puccini's classic Italian opera Madama Butterfly this weekend.

The performers was joined by critically acclaimed international Korean Soprano Elena Dee.

The Kyiv Orchestra and Opera group performed under instruction from Vasyl Vasylenko, artistic director and conductor for the National Municipal Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kyiv.

The performers, part of Ellen Kent Productions, came to Lynn Corn Exchange on Sunday night, and proudly displayed the Ukraine flag at the curtain call.

Ellen Kent Productions said on Facebook: "In support of Ukraine Senbla and Ellen Kent Productions are proud to be touring the Ukrainian National Municipal Opera Kyiv.

"After all the performances of the Spring 2022 production of Madama Butterfly the cast will perform the national anthem in support of the homeland and to show gratitude to Great Britain for their support at this difficult time."

The Opera was formally established in the summer of 1867, and is the third oldest in Ukraine.

The national anthem Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy, roughly translates as "State anthem of Ukraine".

Ukrainian poet Pavlo Chubynskyi wrote a poem in the 19th Century called “Shche ne vmerla Ukrayina” which translates as "Ukraine is not dead yet", which is the basis of the national anthem used today.

The use of the anthem is particularly poignant, as in 1920, when Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union, singing the patriotic song was widely discouraged.

However, in 1991, when the Soviet Union was disbanded, the song was once again popular throughout the nation.