'BACK Stage at the Opera' is the title of a talk that will follow the annual meeting of the Arts Society Mid Wales and Borders, at the Royal Oak Hotel in Welshpool, at 2pm, on Thursday, September 26.

The talk will be given by Simon Rees who worked with Welsh National Opera in Cardiff from 1989 to 2012.

He worked with set, costume and props designers and gave lectures on their work in opera production.

Previously he taught in Italy and Japan, exploring the art and architecture of both countries.

He is now a freelance writer and lecturer, lectures widely on opera, art history and literature, travelling extensively with travel companies. He has also published several novels, including the award-winning 'The Devil’s Looking-Glass', poems and opera librettos.

Guests are welcome with £6 donation for the lecture.

The season continues on Thursday, October 24, with Tony Crowe on 'Court Jewellers to the Czars'.