AFTER final rehearsals in town all week, Mid Wales Opera is at last set to hit the stage and begin touring with their first ever production of Tchaikovsky’s lyrical masterpiece 'Eugene Onegin' opening at The Hafren, Newtown, this Saturday night, February 24.

Charismatic British baritone George Von Bergen stars in the role of Eugene Onegin, British soprano Elizabeth Karani is Tatyana, and tenor Robyn Lyn Evans, who is from Pontrhydygroes and lives in Machynlleth, makes his role debut as Lensky in this landmark in MWO’s 30 year history.

The chorus for the Newtown performance will be the local Quindici Chamber Choir who will be known to many readers.

With a cast which mixes rising stars with more established talent, and an orchestra supplied by Wales based chamber music specialists Ensemble Cymru in their first partnership with MWO, the nine venue tour promises to be a real treat for Welsh audiences.

The tour will go on to include Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 28; Bangor, Newport, Mold, Brecon’s Theatr Brycheiniog on Wednesday, March 21; Llanelli, Milford Haven and ending in Hereford Courtyard theatre on April 10.

For full details of their Eugene Onegin tour dates go to www.midwalesopera.co.uk, and for ticket availability for Newtown call the box office on 01686 614555.