AFTER hopes were expressed that its national tour would continue, the British-based Russian State Opera's national touring production of Madama Butterfly has been cancelled – meaning next week's scheduled performance at Basildon's Towngate Theatre is off.

"Russian State Opera" is a brand name established by a UK company, Amande Concerts.

In the wake of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine last week the company had issued a statement saying: "This brand acts as an umbrella for the presentation of artists of many different nationalities that have graduated from artistic institutions in Russia and countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.

"We understand the potential for confusion this name causes, but there is no link between Amande Concerts to the Russian 'state' as a political entity."

"In light with the current tragic situation in Ukraine, we would like to clear a few unknown facts and write our position.

"It goes without saying that we strongly condemn the violence in Ukraine! Arts and politics are not connected, these are innocent people who are being affected. They cannot alter any political situation; however, they do feel the effect of them!"

They had said they planned to continue to tour but today (Thursday, 3 March) Amande – which has announced it is dropping the Russian branding in its name - also announced the tour was cancelled, "in light of the events happening in Ukraine".