It’s a story of a woman emotionally holding onto a man, not realizing he let go long before. Soaring through the stages of love, from the first kiss to the tragic death caused by passion and deception, the story of “Madame Butterfly” unfolds.

The London City Opera will bring its version of the classic tale of heartbreak to Stephens Auditorium Thursday.

“Every year we bring an opera to Ames,” says Sara Barr, Iowa State Center director of marketing. “We have a good following with the Ames Municipal Opera Guild and the Des Moines Metro Opera being so close. We usually have a large crowd.”

Last year, “The Merry Widow,” which was also performed by the London City Opera, came to Stephens.

“Every few years we switch opera companies to mix it up a little for different experiences and scenery,” Barr says. “They did a wonderful job last year, so we brought them back this year for ‘Madame Butterfly.’ “

The London City Opera is a touring opera group started in London. The group is coming to Ames as a part of their fifth North American tour with “Madame Butterfly.”

During the past years, the company has been in great demand to perform at theaters throughout the United Kingdom, and to appear at many major music festivals, says Craig Smith, who plays the character Sharpless in the opera.

He says the London City Opera has quickly established itself as the market leader of high quality touring opera.

“[‘Madame Butterfly’] is a very powerful opera,” Smith says. “The audience will get taken in, sort of drawn in. It’s very emotional by the end.”

Smith says the company only practices one rehearsal before each show. The majority of the rehearsing was done in London for five weeks prior to “taking the show on the road.”

“It’s a very moving performance,” Barr says. “The company is full of very talented actors/singers.”

The London City Opera’s production of “Madame Butterfly” is performed entirely in Italian. Supertitles will be displayed above the stage so those who don’t speak Italian will be able to follow along.

Smith says the aim of the company is to present touring opera and operetta productions of high musical and vocal standards and to prove to audiences, old and new, that opera was composed as entertainment.

“Its just beautiful music, a beautiful story, and it’s beautifully performed,” Smith says. “This is an opera that is a good start for beginners.”

What: Madame Butterfly

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Cost: $13.50-$19.50 students, $25.50-$37.50 public