I conducted two performances of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Tearo Astra on Thursday 25 and Saturday 27 October. The opera featured a world class cast with Daniela Dessi in the title role, Fabio Armiliato as Pinkerton , Carlo Guelfi as Sharpless and Olga Sliepnova as Suzuki. Minor roles were played by up and coming young singers from Malta. As usual, the Astra Theatre Chorus was under the able direction of Maria Frendo as Chorus Mistress. Artistic direction was provided by the Italian Enrico Stinchelli, who produced the last three operatic productions for the Theatre. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra was in attendance