A LEADING Bolton opera group is kicking off its season with a new conductor.

Opera74 has joined forces with Juan Ortuno Moro, a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and the Royal Conservatory of Madrid.

He is much in demand in the UK as an orchestral conductor and is currently musical director of the City of Manchester Opera.

Doreen Brotherston, secretary of Opera74, said: “He will conduct the company in a programme of well known operatic arias and a semi-staged concert version of the dramatic one act opera, Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, which will be sung in English. The aim of Opera74 is to give a platform to young opera singers and the opportunity of working with seasoned performers.”

Irish tenor Aaron Cawley and American soprano Rochelle Hart will take the romantic roles of soldier Turiddu and the spurned peasant girl, Santuzza in the opera.

Talented young singer, Georgia Gardiner, from Blackrod, who begins her studies at the RNCM in September, will play Lola, the other love in the life of Turiddu.

Baritone George Hulbert plays Alfio, the wronged husband of Lola and Ann Haslam takes on the contralto role of Lucia, the despairing mother of Turiddu.

Mrs Brotherston added: “In true opera fashion we cannot promise a happy ending from this tangled web of love and deceit but the music, including The Easter Hymn and the Intermezzo is inspiring.”

The concert will be held at the United Reformed Church of St Andrew and St George, St Georges Road, Bolton, at 7.30pm on April 13.

Tickets cost £10, including refreshments, and entry is free for students and children.

Phone the Opera74 box office on 01204 439263 or pay on the door.