THE brilliant Chisinau National Opera company made a welcome return visit to Birmingham this week, performing both Carmen and Nabucco.

I went to see the latter on Tuesday, and was treated to a superb evening's entertainment.

This story of power, jealousy and madness, was portrayed in style, with a chorus which is second-to-none.

As always, the beautiful, haunting, Va Pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) was a joy, the "slaves" almost motionless as they lamented their lot, dreaming of once more seeing their homeland.

The best performance of the night was by Galina Bernaz, as Abigaille, portraying this woman, who is ravaged with jealousy, superbly. She has a splendid voice - I could have listened to her all night - and her facial expressions depicted her moods so realistically.

Petru Racovita was a good Nabucco, if a little wooden at times, Valeriu Cojocaru was an excellent Zaccaria, and Tatiana Busuoic a superb Fenena.

The only disappointing soloist was tenor Nicolae Busuioc, as Ismaele, who had to take a run-up to the high notes!

The audience began to fidget during an over-long second interval, when we heard lots of noise from the stage, with banging and scraping, but the wait was worth it - the scene for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon was glorious.

Apart from the slaves' chorus, another highlight was the first act trio featuring Abigaille, Fenena and Ismaele.

Nabucco's entrance was full of pomp - and he rode in on a beautiful grey Andalucian stallion, Todo. To the audience's delight, Todo returned later and did a couple of stunts. He was totally non-plussed by the music, and seemed thoroughly at home on the stage.

As always, the Chisinau gave a performance to remember, and I look forward to their return in May and June.

VJS