OPERA lovers are set for a treat with the unveiling of Longborough Festival Opera's 2001 season.

The opera house near Moreton is one of the few privately owned and boasts an auditorium with seating for 480 people with 16 private boxes.

The landscaped grounds are a perfect place to lay out a picnic rug or people can pre-book dinner in the new restaurant.

Although many visitors like to dress to the nines in black tie, this is not compulsory and is entirely your choice.

For those who want to live the high life, a champagne and wine bar is open before each performance.

Organisers are keen to encourage new people to try the opera and not be discouraged by its perceived elitism.

Director Lizzie Green said: "These operas were written for the people and anybody can enjoy them. You don't need special qualifications and you don't need a lot of money."

There are four operas on offer this year. Two classics from Wagner, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung, which are both conducted by Anthony Negus.

Siegfried features Anthony Raffell as the Wanderer, a role he sang recently at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The programme also features Don Giovanni and The Barber of Seville, both conducted by Jeremy Silver.

Performances start at 6.30pm and there is usually an interval of 80 minutes, plenty of time for a relaxed picnic or leisurely meal.

The first performance is on June 15 and the season continues over every weekend until July 14. Tickets start at £30 and boxes are from £37 per person.

For further information about the programme or to order tickets, call 01451 830 292.