'When you stand on that stage at The London Coliseum, and look out on the audience, it really is a wonderful feeling.'
The sentiment of Stephanie Windsor-Lewis, 34, who is currently starring as Suzuki in Anthony Minghella's staging of Puccini's beloved opera Madame Butterfly.
The Mezzo-soprano, who used to live in Oulton Broad, and was a former pupil of Benjamin Britten High School, is making her debut with the English National Opera.
'So far it has been absolutely fantastic – a truly wonderful experience.' she said.
'It is such a good opera to come and see as it includes such wonderful music.'
Madam Butterfly is one of opera's most enduring tales of unrequited love.
It includes a mix of cinematic images, traditional Japanese theatre, colourful costumes and stunning sets.
Mrs Windsor-Lewis, who now lives in north Wales, also has a one year old son to look after.
But she is now looking to the future and continuing to target her dream of performing at the Royal Opera House in London.
'When you stand on that stage at The London Coliseum, and look out on the audience, it really is a wonderful feeling,' she added.
'I would like to work internationally in the future – it is my absolute dream to sing at the Royal Opera House.'
At the age of 15, a young Stephanie began singing lessons with Richard Charlton – and her voice developed with his tuition.
She has performed on some of the world's greatest stages and also won the Tuscan competition, Premio Crescendo.
She studied for an honours degree in music at the University of Surrey and was accepted for a place at the National Youth Choir of Great Britain; with this she also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
More recently, Stephanie has studied as a scholar in the Benjamin Britten International Opera School at the Royal College of Music, also in London, and moved to Bologna, where she studied at the Teatro Comunale.
It was through her time in Bologna that she became involved in the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and this led to her taking part in the Premio Crescendo in Florence.
She will be appearing in Madame Butterfly until July 7.
For more details, and to book, visit www.eno.org/whats-on/madam-butterfly
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