Rigoletto The Anvil

IMPRESARIO Ellen Kent arrived at The Anvil recently for a spot-check on her production of Rigoletto.

She was worried about the two Russian hunting hounds, Borzoi dogs named Steele and Jazz, who tended to slip on the polished floor of the stage.

Ellen commented: "Perhaps they could be fitted with little rubber shoes - we don't want them getting nervous about one of their entrances."

Ellen regards Basingstoke audiences as the most loyal and appreciative in her opera's extensive UK tour - and this was proved by The Anvil's packed house and the enthusiasm of the audience applause and cries of "bravo".

This new presentation of the Verdi classic had beautiful sets, based on early Renaissance paintings, and sumptuous costumes, all putting a visual gloss on the brilliance of the music from the orchestra, chorus and the leading soloists from the Ukrainian National Opera of Odessa.

Tenor Akhmed Agadi made a fine Duke, licentious and lascivious until smitten by Rigoletto's daughter, Gilda, sung by the stunning long-haired blonde soprano Larysa Zuenko.

The jester Rigoletto was sung by baritone Vladimir Dragos - these three artistes making a welcome return to The Anvil. Rigoletto is such a popular opera with four big "pop songs", including La Donna e Mobile, that, at times, the performance almost developed into a sing-a-long - altogether a big night of big music.

Ellen's company will be back in mid-October with a new production of Madama Butterfly, with, of course, her usual flair for adding some animals to the staging.

"You think dogs and a falcon present problems on tour... in Butterfly we have 20 butterfly koi carp, and they need to travel with two-and-a-half tons of water, changed daily!"

Madama Butterfly is booked into The Anvil for two nights, October 18 and 19. Tickets, priced from £15, are available from the box office on 01256 844244.