WELSH National Opera returns to its English home at Birmingham Hippodrome with a spring season which presents five different operas in five days.

Starting next Tuesday, the first of a series of mini-scale operas take place, with Bizet's popular Carmen, which runs for one hour.

The show is performed by a cast of opera singers together with chorus and orchestra and includes flamenco dresses and a toreador.

The season continues with Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, performed on Wednesday, March 12 and Saturday, March 15.

The twin operas, by Mascagni and Leoncavallo, tell of infidelity, passion and tragedy.

Sung in Italian, they star acclaimed tenor Denis O'Neill, Australian baritone Jonathan Summers and Sicilian soprano Nuccia Focile.

Celebrated soprano Susan Chilcott sings the title role in the production of Jenufa on Thursday, March 13.

Sung in English, the story tells of a woman spurned by the father of her baby and the disgrace and tragedy that follows.

The final opera of the season on Friday, March 14, brings some light-hearted relief with Donzetti's The Elixir of Love.

The romantic comedy set in 1950s Italy features popular Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones and Company Principal Natalie Christie.

Tickets cost £10-£44 for all productions on 0870 730 1234.