FOLLOWING on from the success of ‘The Enigma of Edward Elgar’ at St Mary’s Church, CreateRoss is preparing to welcome another remarkable touring production to the town,

This time the acclaimed Carmen Co Trio will bring ‘A Pocket Opera’ to Ross-on-Wye this Saturday, October 24 for the production which has passion, comedy, drama and a very different take on one of opera’s most famous characters.

And if the word ‘opera’ makes you wonder whether this is really for you, think again. A Pocket Opera takes the story and music of Bizet’s Carmen and turns it into an intimate theatrical experience told from Carmen’s own point of view.

The result combines outstanding live music with costumes, props, comedy, storytelling and plenty of audience interaction.

CarmenCo is made up of mezzo-soprano and flautist Emily Andrews and guitarists David Massey and Francisco Correa.

Remarkably, the trio perform the entire show from memory, allowing them to act, move amongst the audience and even dance while playing.

The music reaches well beyond Bizet too, weaving Carmen together with Spanish and Spanish-inspired works by composers including Ravel, Albéniz, Boccherini, Falla and Granados.

It is a formula that has proved enormously successful. A Pocket Opera has now been performed more than 60 times around the country, attracting enthusiastic reviews wherever it goes.

So, following the recent Elgar experience, why not take a chance on Carmen? You may find that opera is rather more mischievous and considerably more fun than you may have imagined.

It is said that the show’s greatest strength is though, is its accessibility. You do not need to know anything about opera or classical music beforehand.

This is a piece designed to entertain. It’s funny one moment, atmospheric the next, and performed by three exceptional musicians.

A Pocket Opera is being staged at St Mary’s Church, Ross on Saturday October 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets and further information via createross.co.uk.