Mid Wales Opera’s annual Gala event at Gregynog is going alfresco this year with an outdoor performance in the grounds of the historic hall near Newtown.

The concert will be led by Charlotte Forrest joined by a trio of up and coming young Welsh performers, sopranos Meinir Wyn Roberts and Llio Evans and tenor Huw Ynyr.

With many live music events cancelled this summer, MWO have been determined to get back to performance as soon as possible and the Gregynog performance will be the first full length concert of the year though they have already given 21 short, socially distanced performances in venues across rural Wales.

MWO’s Executive Director Lydia Bassett said: “The Friends of MWO concert at Gregynog is traditionally our season launch event, and this year’s theme is ‘Puccini in Paris’ – with plans for a SmallStages tour of Puccini’s late masterpiece Il Tabarro in Autumn 2021 and our delayed MainStages tour of La Boheme in Spring 2022.

"This event has always been a highlight of our summer and we were very sad when the pandemic meant we couldn’t go ahead last summer. We’re delighted to be able to return this year, and hugely looking forward to bringing everyone together for a garden concert and the chance to hear live music once again in such a magnificent setting.”

The concert on Sunday, July 25, at 5pm will take place at the front of the Hall with seating on the paths and lawns in front of the house, with a picnic interval.

Audience members will be encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and will be allocated a space to ensure social distancing is maintained between groups.

Tickets are £16 and need to be booked in advance on the Hafren theatre website.