SPECTACULAR lighting and special effects helped to bring Guiseppe Verdi's epic opera Nabucco to life in some style in Aylesbury.

Renowned director Ellen Kent didn't do things by halves during Friday's production of what's considered to be Verdi's masterpiece, which helped to bring the whole theatre to life.

The superbly choreographed light show at the close of the first act, as the lead character orders the destruction of the Temple of Solomon in a ball of flames, gave the impression the stage was completely ablaze.

Later on came an incredibly realistic thunderbolt from the Gods - as punishment for an increasingly hysterical Nabucco, who seems convinced he is himself a God rather than a King - that again had the audience enraptured, wondering what would be next to set the stage (metaphorically) alight.

They were undoubtedly the stand out moments and they both centred around Petru Racovita, who excelled in the titular role.

As Nabucco ordered the destruction of the temple there was a genuine menace and aggression in Racovita's face, making it perfectly believable the actor was capable of setting light to the Waterside Theatre.

It was a powerful display from the leading man, very much bringing to the fore that this was a tale of revenge and destruction as Nabucco the Babylonian King sought to smite his numerous enemies.

Alongside Racovita, soprano Olga Busuioc also shone with an impressive performance through the tricky vocal chords the role of Abigaille requires.

They were without a doubt the star performers among the cast from the touring Chisinau National Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra, but some of the background characters also impressed. The Levites' baiting of Ismaele in Act Two with their subtley powerful rendition of 'Il Maledetto non h'a Fratelli' was a particular highlight, before Iurie Maimescu's Zaccaria's 'Tu Sul Labbro' brought a wonderful evening to a conclusion.