A double bill of Mozart opera is coming to Hitchin next month – with proceeds going to preserve the town’s iconic parish church.

Pop-Up Opera, an innovative touring company who performed Romeo and Juliet in Letchworth last year, will put on two shows at St Mary’s Church on Friday, July 6.

In one-act comedy Bastien & Bastienne, two lovers tease and test for feelings for each other. In The Impresario, two ambitious actresses battle it out to be the prima donna.

Colin Eades, chairman of the St Mary’s (Hitchin) Preservation Trust, said they were “most proud to host Pop-Up Opera within St Mary’s Church itself”.

He added: “The proceeds from the event will make an invaluable contribution to the work of the trust in the preservation and restoration of this centrepiece of Hitchin – inarguably be the town’s finest heritage asset – for generations to come.”

The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £30, with 60 special seats including canapés and prosecco at £50 each – contact Hitchin Initiative on 01462 453335 or info@hitchinherts.com to book.