THE Russian State Opera returns to Swindon's Wyvern Theatre and Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre with Madam Butterfly in February 2016.

Giacomo Puccini’s Madam Butterfly is known as one of the most colourful and exotic operas.

Set in Japan at the turn of the century, the Opera is a tale of the doomed love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride, whose self-sacrifice and defiance of her family leads to heartbreak and tragedy.

The story of an innocent love crushed between two different cultures inspired Puccini to write some of his most beautiful music which will be sung in Italian, with English subtitles and performed by a live orchestra of over 30 musicians.

  • Madam Butterfly is at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, February 12-13 and The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon on February 16. Performances start at 7.45pm. Tickets from £29.

For more information visit everymantheatre.org.uk and swindontheatres.co.uk