STUNNING is the only word to describe this production of Puccini's masterpiece by the Russian State Opera of Rostov.

From the moment the curtain came up, the audience knew they were in for a musical and visual feast.

The set was simple but proved very effective, being easily adapted for each of the four acts of the opera. We started off in a students' attic apartment, moved onto a cafe, then to a toll-gate and back to the first setting where the tragic ending unfolded.

But, of course, the music is the highlight of any production of La Bohme and the chorus and orchestra of the Russian State Opera of Rostov, conducted by Aleksandr Anissimov, were both superb.

The Grand is a perfect venue for listening to opera and all of the cast had splendid voices which filled up the auditorium with delightful sounds.

I have never been to an opera with surtitles before and I must admit I found it a bit disconcerting to start with but, gradually, the music swept me away and I was completely engrossed in Puccini's composition.

Irina Krikounova as Mimi didn't sing a wrong note and her tonal qualities were wonderful, especially at the incredibly sad ending.

Her lover, Rodolfo, played by Evgeniy Akimov, was the perfect foil and his rendition of Che gelida manina made my spine tingle.

Olga Makarova really brought alive the role of Musetta and, like Mimi, I really came to love her at the end.

Pyotr Makarov as Marcello, Aleksandr Moussienko as Colline, Igor Tskhovrebov as Schaunard proved they could not only sing but act as well. Both the fire lighting episode and the dancing scene brought plenty of laughs.

Philosopher Colline proved especially touching when he gave up his great coat to help the dying Mimi.

The audience gave the production a deserved standing ovation and I'm only sorry I couldn't make it to the company's production of Madama Butterfly as well but I'm sure those that did enjoyed another musical treat. AG