The ambitious summer programme at Holland Park is composed partly of familiar favourites (Le nozze di Figaro, Don Pasquale, Rigoletto) and partly of rarely heard operas, in which category La Rondine definitely belongs. A late work by Puccini, it has something in common with his earlier successes, including a love duet slightly reminiscent of that from Butterfly and a second act set in a fashionable restaurant (expertly recreated by designer Peter Rice) with more than a hint of Bohème’s Cafe Momus. But the operetta-ish tone to proceedings, to which a series of orchestral waltzes makes a contribution, helps explain its absence from the traditional operatic repertoire.

In the character of the fashionable ‘kept woman’ Magda — the swallow of the title —we meet an attractive heroine. She is presented with an agonising choice: will she remain in the comfort of her life with the wealthy banker Rambaldo (Nicholas Todorovic) or succumb to the appeal of young Ruggero and in so doing recapture something of her carefree youth? Her anxiety is perfectly depicted by Kate Ladner (pictured with Seán Ruane as Ruggero), who offers a deliciously delicate account of the opera’s ‘big tune’ the Act I canzone, “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta”.

Since Magda dares not risk owning up to her young partner — as Ruggero becomes — about her earlier situation, his marriage proposal, when it comes, places her in a very difficult situation, over which no one watching can fail to sympathise.

Tom Hawkes’s stylish, good-looking production, under conductor Peter Selwyn, made a powerful case for more frequent performances of the work. The sub-plot involving Magda’s perky maid Lisette and the foppish poet Prunier (Hal Cazalet), an unlikely partner for her, was exceptionally well handled. As Lisette, true star quality was shown by Hye-Youn Lee, who was hugely impressive last summer as Nevill Holt’s Butterfly. Look out for that name.

For details of Oxford Holland Park’s season go to www.operahollandpark.com.