ENGLISH Touring Opera is making a stop-off in Malvern and moving in with a triple bill to suit all tastes.

The company is bringing three operas to Malvern - Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte, Donizetti's Mary, Queen of Scots and, specially adapted for children, The (Little) Magic Flute.

Cosi Fan Tutte is regarded by many as the most perfect ensemble opera written. It is a comedy of sexual politics in which a set of young lovers find that the path to happiness isn't quite as smooth as they'd hoped.

"Mozart's genius has presented us with the gift of beautiful arias set within an immaculately symmetrical whole, gaining depth and poignancy through the most exquisite vocal ensembles," explained Malvern Theatres spokeswoman Louise Russell. It is directed by Timothy Walker, who played Angus in Four Weddings and a Funeral, and who is enjoying his first time at the helm of an opera.

Mary, Queen of Scots, is a piece which focuses on the rivalry between Mary and Queen Elizabeth I.

"A highly dramatic and stirring orchestral score accompanies the vocal fireworks that spark between these two strong-willed women, culminating in the dramatic royal confrontation that never really happened, " said Louise.

Acclaimed mezzo soprano Anne Mason plays Mary and soprano Jenny Rhys Davies plays Elizabeth with a full orchestral backing.

Mozart's The Magic Flute has been turned into The (Little) Magic Flute by being cut to an accessible length while keeping all the well-known characters and tunes of the original.

Aimed at eight to 13-year-olds, the plot involves a dragon, a sorceress, a kidnapped girl and a magic flute and is performed by six singers and six instrumentalists.

Cosi Fan Tutte and Mary, Queen of Scots, run from April 26-30, with The (Little) Magic Flute on stage on April 30. Call the Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277 or visit www.malvern-theatre.co.uk for more details.