CARTHAGE COMES TO THE COSTA BLANCA

Residents of Primavera could be forgiven for being bemused by the appearance in their gardens of several characters straight out of the era of ancient times, when Greek Gods and Goddesses roamed the land!

They needn't worry however, as several members of the cast of the forthcoming San Miguel Opera Week workshop were simply trying out their costumes for size.

Primavera resident and cast member Mary Mitchell, pictured centre back, has had a busy time designing and making costumes for the entire cast – no mean feat. All are now completed, from Queen Dido of Carthage, Prince Aeneas of Troy, Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, to witches and citizens. The results are wonderful!!

The opera chosen for this year's workshop is “Dido and Aeneas” by Henry Purcell. Set in Ancient Carthage in “sometime BC” it tells a tale of love and hate, witches and Gods, and ultimately death – just your average opera plot! All this with glorious music.

This, the fourth annual workshop in San Miguel, starts on Sunday 13th February, when a cast of local expats join with 20 participants arriving from UK, to rehearse and present the fully staged opera on Friday 18th in the Casa de Cultura in San Miguel de Salinas. The workshop is open to the public during all the rehearsals, including the Dress Rehearsal on the morning of Friday 18th at approximately 10.30. Entry to all the rehearsals is free, but for the Full Performance on the evening of Friday 18th February at 8.00, there is an admission charge of 5€. The opera lasts just over an hour.

Tickets are selling really quickly, so if you would like to book your attendance at what promises to be an excellent evening's entertainment, please telephone 96 599 8977.