There’s a highbrow hue to Sunday night’s production at Stevenage’s Gordon Craig Theatre – for one night only, Verdi’s La Traviata is brought to North Herts by a touring team from the Russian State Ballet and Opera House.

The renowned company is criss-crossing the country in a tour which began last week in Essex and will come to and end in Derbyshire next month.

There’s hardly a free day in the 31-venue tour and if you can’t make Sunday they’ll be at the Alban Arena next Thursday, too.

The production – sung in Italian with English subtitles – boasts an impressive cast and the music will be provided by a live orchestra.

Verdi’s famous work is based on a play adapted from an Alexandre Dumas novel about a high society courtesan who sacrifices all for the man she loves.

Producer Alexej Ignatow said: “Opera is sometimes seen as being out of reach but these performances bring world class opera talent to local audiences in a way that makes opera more accessible than ever.

“For many people, seeing an opera is a wonderful and profound experience and one they are keen to repeat. I hope that these performances will encourage many more people to try opera and discover the magic it creates.”

Call 01438 363200 or visit www.gordon-craig.co.uk for booking details.