Classical Preview: English Touring Opera back on the road again

With flexible sets and with a fine orchestra that fits snugly into the space available, they have now become adept at encamping in the 15 locations they will visit. And this year their presence becomes doubly valuable following the demise of the ubiquitous Ellen Kent Organisation, who had brought opera and ballet to the length and breadth of the country.

They open at the Lyceum Theatre with a sparkling new production of Donizetti's comedy, Don Pasquale, featuring Keel Watson as the foolish old miser who believes he can woo the delectable Norina.

Finding her a spendthrift, he is only too pleased to be rid of her to young Ernesto, the man she had always intended to marry.

Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro also explores the stupidity of men when manipulated by the female sex, this gracious presentation in period dress featuring Robert Davies in the name role, and Eliana Pretorian as his fiance, Susanna.

The visit is completed with a revival of James Conway's 2004 award-winning staging of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

From the original ETO cast, Jonathan Peter Kenny, Andrew Slater and David Gooderson return in the principal roles of Oberon, Bottom

and Puck.

For full details, see today's Classical Listings, the company also visiting Buxton Opera House (Apr 15-17) and Durham's Gala Theatre (May 17-18).