A NIGHT at the opera should feature some of the most promising up-and-coming talent in the area.

Opera '74 presents Tchaikovsky's most popular opera, Eugene Onegin, from May 9 to 12 at the Albert Halls, Bolton.

And within the cast is an impressive line-up of principals, several of whom are studying at the Royal Northern College of music, and making their debut for Opera '74.

The romantic lead will be sung by Stephen Wells, baritone. Stephen was born in Scotland, grew up in New Zealand, and studied music and German at the Victoria University where he performed major operatic roles.

Since moving to England, he has studied at the RNCM, where he was most recently seen in its acclaimed production of Sondheim's Into The Woods.

As well as working with the chorus of Opera North, Stephen has appeared at the Linbury Theatre, Covent Garden, with Opera Les Azuriales.

The role of Tatyana will be shared between Jane Hyde on Thursday and Saturday, and Claire Ormshaw on Wednesday and Friday.

Jane's roles with Opera '74 include Violetta in La Traviatta, Margarita in Faust and last year as producer for The Bartered Bride. She has played Leila in The Pearl Fishers with Preston Opera, and Michaela in Pendle Opera's Carmen.

She has won more than 100 first prizes in music festivals including the prestigious Rose Bowl at the Blackpool Festival. Claire is in her fourth year at the RNCM where she has sung many operatic roles, including most recently her appearance as Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods.

She has sung the Messiah at the Lowry and appeared as a soloist on Radio Three. Future work includes taking part in the Rossini Festival in Pesaro, Italy, and Tatyana in Eugene Onegin for Lakeland Opera. She intends to continue her studies as a post-graduate with sponsorship from the Peter Moores Foundation.

Olga, Tatyana's sister, is played by mezzo soprano Karina Lucas, also in her final year at the RNCM. She has sung in oratorio in Bonn, Germany, and Perpignon in France. She has appeared in Cinderella, Into The Woods and as Meg Page in Verdi's Falstaff.

The other romantic interest, Lensky, is played by tenor Gary Davis, who has appeared as a concert soloist with Opera '74, and has taken many roles in opera and oratorio.

At Easter, Gary was the soloist with Wigan Choral in The Crucifixion.

Other parts will be performed by experienced soloists Sue Bradley as Madame Larina, Diedre Rogers as The Nurse, Barrie Wright as Prince Gremin and Damian Trafford as Monsieur Triquet.

Musical director is Carl Penlington-Williams. Artistic director Ryan Ellershaw has set the opera traditionally in 1820s Russia with complementary choreography. On Thursday, 6.30pm, Ryan will present to the public a pre-performance talk about the opera.

Tickets from the Albert Hall Box Office 334400 and Opera '74 Box Office 592064.