I HAVE seen a few Butterflies and this spring production by Welsh National Opera, at the Mayflower in Southampton, could well be my favourite.

It was a relatively straightforward production, robes, silk, petals and sliding doors as standard, but all in shades of brown and white giving the whole affair a sepia tinge, which was a nice touch.

I will say at the outset I have one big bugbear. Whether it was my seat or some acoustic quirk, it was at times difficult to hear the singers over the orchestra, especially noticeable whenever they faced away from dead centre. This was less frustrating than it might have been as I enjoyed a closer appreciation of Puccini's lush, oriental-themed score.

Fortunately it was only an occasional issue, as the cast were utterly first class.

Korean soprano Karah Son apparently has a few future international dates booked as the titular Cio-Cio-San, which is hardly surprising. Nor is it a shock to learn she studied under Mirella Freni in Milan.

Her butterfly was childish, prim, coy, excitable and mesmerising, a far better acting performance than most others I have seen, live or otherwise, albeit she allows the music to carry a lot of the weight of the opera's bitter, tragic climax. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

Her voice was the perfect Butterfly, most comfortable around the contralto/mezzo range, but possessing great power on the high notes.

Her Un bel di was met with enthusiastic applause, and at the conclusion, many stood to show their appreciation. Bravo.

I was also very impressed with Rebecca Afonwy-Jones as a somewhat younger than usual Suzuki. Hers was an arresting voice, whether tentatively clipping her mistresses' wings or spitting venom at the unctuous marriage broker Goro - a suitably wry performance by Simon Crosby Buttle.

The Americans, both Paul Charles Clarke as Pinkerton and David Kempster as Sharpless, were splendid, and both perhaps a little more human and less a caricature than in some other productions.

Clarke got a good natured boo at the conclusion, a sure sign of a successful Pinkerton.

This run at the Mayflower is the last in WNO's Spring season, but there is another performance of Puccini's gorgeous tragedy to come at the weekend. If they can resolve the little sound difficulty then it will be a deeply satisfying treat for those attending.