IT'S a sumptuous, traditionally-staged production which features not only a host of international soloists but genuine Russian Borzoi hunting dogs, a falcon and naked chorus girls.

It's Verdi's Rigoletto, at Blackpool Grand on Tuesday, based on Victor Hugo's controversial play.

The tale of a dissolute duke and a jester whose overwhelming love for his daughter leads to tragedy stars the lead baritone from the Chisinau National Opera, Vladimir Dragos, and the international Ukrainian soprano Larisa Zuenko, who has sung at the Paris Opera House. This spectacular, magnificently-staged production, which will also play the Royal Albert Hall, is inspired by the tradition of Renaissance painting.

The opera will feature naked chorus girls to reflect the moral degradation and sexual excess of the Mantuan duke -- the story of Rigoletto is one of sexual depravity.

The productions will be sung in Italian with English subtitles.

The company behind the show, Opera and Ballet International, will also present Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the Grand Theatre on Monday November 24.

Used as the basis for the popular West End musical Miss Saigon, Madama Butterfly is based on a real-life incident and tells of an innocent geisha girl who falls for an American sailor.

It is here given a passionate and tender interpretation, with an exciting performance from the UK-based Korean soprano Rosa Lee Thomas, who sang Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall, and Mariana Colpos, the international Romanian soprano who has appeared many times at the Royal Albert Hall singing Norma and Aida.

Pinkerton will be played by Akhmed Agadi, the Russian tenor from the Stanislavski Opera Theatre, Moscow.

For tickets for either production call (01253) 290190.