MIXED RESULTS

A critical view of Chisinau National Opera's 'Carmen',
from RODERIC DUNNETT

Moldova's economy may be doddery, but to class it as a 'poor' country does scant justice to its rich soil, its resilient farming people or its vibrant city arts. Each UK visit by the national opera company from its capital, Chisinau (formerly Kishinev : the country, a meeting point of expanding empires, was formerly Bessarabia and Soviet Moldavia) has revealed a wealth of astonishing talent : the beautiful acting and melting passion of Natalia Yutesh as Madam Butterfly; the sneering Scarpia (Tosca) and towering Amonasro (Aida) of Boris Materinco; the ominous presence of Mihail Munteanu in Pagliacci; or on the current tour, the beautifully acted, gorgeous-toned Calaf (in Turandot) of Oghnyan Nicolov and stylish Carmens of Tatiana Busuioc and Liliana Lavric.

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