THE tragic tale of the doomed love of Ethiopian slave girl, Aida, will be staged at the Oxford Apollo Theatre during September.

The Chisinau National Opera - touring under the banner of Ellen Kent and Opera International - is presenting a traditional production of Verdi's dramatic work, which features war, jealousy and revenge.

Japanese soloist, Manami Hama, and Romanian, Mariana Colpos, will share the title role.

The male lead role, Radames, will be sung by Georgian tenor, Teimuraz Gugushvili, and Bolshoi star, Serghey Kunaev.

Performances will be in the traditional Italian, accompanied by surtitles, to enable the audience to follow the story. The Chisanau National Opera has toured outside of eastern Europe since the break-up of the former Soviet Union.

In 1999, the company's cast achieved an ambition when they performed at the Royal Albert hall. Among productions they have previously staged were Madama Butterfly and La Traviata, as well as reviving The Marriage of Figaro and Tosca in 2000.

Chisanau can trace its origins back to the mid-1940s and became professional in 1956. It eventually graduated to be ranked among the top 10 Soviet opera companies, alongside more familiar names, such as the Kirov and Bolshoi.

The company also has its own ballet troupe, which will perform in a dance sequence in Aida.

The arias, Ritorna, Vincitor and Celeste Aida, will be among highlights, as will the Triumphal March.

Chisanau National Opera will be at the Apollo on Sunday, September 22. Tickets are available on 0870 606 3500. Group bookings can be made on 01865 723834.