AN OPERA company has opened its latest tour with a well-received show in Llanfyllin.

Mid Wales Opera launched their 16-venue tour of A Spanish Hour – Ravel’s L’heure Espagnole – to a packed house at Theatr Llwyn in Llanfyllin High School.

More than 100 people braved the wind and rain to watch the hysterical bedroom farce performed by five singers and four musicians in a new translation and arrangement by MWO’s artistic team.

First performed in Paris in 1911, L’heure Espagnole is set in a clock shop in Toledo, central Spain.

It follows the fortunes of Torquemada, the hardworking clockmaker, as, during the course of one hot afternoon, his young wife Concepción negotiates her way through her collection of ridiculous lovers. Ravel’s music is bursting with hummable melodies, lively habanera dances and other Spanish folk song elements to get audiences buzzing.

Cath Backhouse, singing the role of Concepcion, said:

“I absolutely love Ravel’s music, it has elements of Spanish dance, some really jazzy harmony and bags of personality especially for Concepcion. She is sassy, fiery, witty and fabulous!”

The second half of the show provided a tasty tapas of Spanish themed treats from Agustin Lara’s Granada and Alan Ridout’s Ferdinand the Bull to flamenco favourites and some real surprises for the audience.

The mayor of Llanfyllin, Councillor Simon Baynes, who is also a trustee of Mid Wales Opera, said:

“Llanfyllin and Theatr Llwyn in the High School are very proud to have hosted this world premiere. This is opera for everyone – Mid Wales Opera’s SmallStages tours are specifically designed so that they can take live opera to places where other companies cannot tour, performing in a mix of village halls, small theatres and even a barn in Longtown in Herefordshire.

"There’s no formal dress code, and the production’s designed to be a great night out in relaxed and informal settings. If you missed the performance in Llanfyllin there’s still chance to see the show in Montgomeryshire and just over the border.”

For more information on the tour, visit https://www.midwalesopera.co.uk