Two of opera's greatest tales of illicit love and bloody revenge exert their formidable power to enthral and enchant as Chisinau National Opera continues its week of splendid performances at the Apollo, writes Chris Gray.

Having already wrung our withers on Tuesday and Wednesday with La Bohme, which is repeated tomorrow, the company moved on last night to two other great works in the 'verismo' (realistic) style.

Each bursting with passion and many wonderful tunes Mascagni's Cavalliera Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) and Leoncavallo's Pagliacci have been a popular double-bill on the world's operatic stages for more than a century.

While both offer virtuoso roles for star singers, they also demand challenging work from the chorus a requirement splendidly met at last night's performance.

Few moments in opera, choral or otherwise, can compete with the emotional power of Cav's Easter Prayer.

Last night, the throbbing, urgent melody was sung as well as I have ever heard it by the chorus and by Tatiana Busuioc, as Santuzza, who is excluded from the church service which the prayer precedes because she is a fallen woman.

Tragically, Turridu (Igor Macarenco), the man who has disgraced her, has now moved on to another woman, Lola (Liliana Lavric), whose husband (Petru Racovita) is less than happy with the situation when it is revealed by Santuzza.

A similar exposure by a jealous rival is at the heart of Pagliacci, which is here presented with most appealing visuals.

After Nedda (Natalia Josan), the beautiful young wife of circus clown Canio, spurns the advances of the hunchback Tonio (Boris Materinco), his fury is aggravated by finding her immediately afterwards in the arms of her secret lover Silvio (Yuri Gisca).

Apprised of the situation just before he is about to go on stage, Canio (the brilliant Mihai Munteamu) exacts a hideous revenge during a clowning performance before an astonished audience.

The circus setting is enhanced by the use of three acrobats from the former Bolshoi Moscow Circus, who were joined on stage last night by two plucky and athletic! Oxford Mail readers (see story on Page 10).

There is a second performance at the Apollo tonight. Don't miss it.