INVERELL'S Opera in the Paddock will celebrate Mozart's 250th birthday this year with several excerpts from his well loved opera The Magic Flute.

The popular event, which has become one of the cultural highlights of the year for music lovers, will be held on Saturday, March 25 under the stars at Mimosa, Delungra.

Now in its fifth year the concert has grown from an audience of 300 in 2002 to almost 2000 last year.

Accommodation has already been heavily booked and buses are being chartered from centres right around the north and northwest.

Artists will include Peta Blyth soprano, Scottish tenor David Hamilton, baritone, Shaun Brown, bass David Hibbard and pianist David Miller.

As well as selections from The Magic Flute they will perform arias, duets from Donizetti's Don Pasquale, the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan and several musicals.

Third year Sydney Conservatorium singing student from Bingara, Lexi Hutton, will sing Papagena, in addition to three Inverell students who will sing the three Genii in The Magic Flute.

An exciting new addition to the paddock will be a wind quintet, which will add another dimension to the program.

As in previous years, patrons bring their own picnic meals and socialise under the stars prior to the start of the concert at dusk.

Sponsors include the State Government, the New England Credit Union (NECU), Allianz Insurance, Country Energy, Big Sky Express and the Inverell Visitors Centre. Over the past four years NECU has supported the event through ticket sales at all of its branches.

Tickets are already on sale at the Inverell Visitors Centre and from all NECU branches. Further enquiries 1800 067 626; (02) 6724 8248 or visit www.operainthepaddock.com.au

© 2006 Inverell Times

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