An event being held in Gloucestershire next month will aim to show people that opera has something to offer them.

The It Ain't All Opera evening will also benefit St John Ambulance, with the county branch of the first aid charity likely to get £3,500 if all tickets are sold.

The event will be held at the famous opera house built by Martin Gear in the rolling Cotswold hills at Longborough on Saturday, September 9, at 7.30pm.

There will be not one, but two grand pianos on stage, to be played by Simon Callaghan and Hiroaki Takenouchi, both Royal College of Music prize winners who, despite their youth, are attracting international attention. They will show what two pianos can do, from love duets to battles for supremacy.

Mary Hegarty, the famous soprano from Buxton Opera House, will also be there with John Graham-Hall, principal tenor from the English National Opera. They have chosen to sing some light music, some serious music and something in between.

Carolyn Elwes, chairman of St John Gloucestershire, said: "The title It Ain't All Opera gives a flavour of the treats in store at Longborough. A wonderful late summer treat before the autumn sets in, a chance to have a picnic and listen to a programme with something for everyone - all for £25 a head - has got to be the very best value evening offer around.

"Why not join us and enjoy a musical evening that will also benefit an extremely worthwhile charity?"

Tickets are £25, available from Lifa Oakley on leo@oakleyl.fsnet.co.uk or write to her at Ingates, May Hill, Longhope, Gloucestershire GL17 0RF.