SOLOISTS from major British opera companies perform at the Palace Theatre on Friday as part of A Viennese Strauss Gala.

Designed to give the audience a nostalgic taste of the age of glamorous soirees and Strauss waltzes, the evening includes highlights from Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow as well as other great operettas.

The soloists include Maria Kesselman, who has appeared at the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Royal Albert Hall and can be heard frequently on Radio 2's Steve Race Show.

Emma Silversides sang at the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester Cathedral and Birmingham's Symphony Hall, Rory Campbell has appeared in musicals Cats, My Fair Lady and High Society and Howard Ellis has spent four years with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Tickets cost £11.50 (£10.50 with Reddicards) from the Information Centre or on 65203.