MUSIC legend Elvis Costello is creating an opera based on fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen's unrequited love for a 19th Century opera singer who lived in Malvern.

Costello's The Secret Arias is based on songs written by Dutch-born Andersen for Jenny Lind - the soprano dubbed the "Swedish Nightingale" who spent the last year's of her life living at Wynds Point, near British Camp, until her death in 1887.

Historians said they hoped the work, which has been commissioned by the Royal Danish Opera to coincide with the bi-centenary of Andersen's death, will keep Lind's links with Malvern and Worcester alive.

It will open in 2006 in the new Danish Opera House and is likely to go on international tour, being released as a CD and DVD.

Costello will even perform the songs during a concert this autumn at the opera house.

Henrik Engelbrecht, head of drama at Copenhagen's Royal Theatre, said Andersen pined for Jenny despite her never returning his affections - it is believed he wrote his tale The Nightingale with her in mind.

"Elvis immediately loved the idea and when we met him 18 months ago to discuss it, he had already a clear idea about the opera," he added.

Roger Hall-Jones, who wrote the booklet Jenny Lind: the Swedish Nightingale of Malvern, said he was very pleased to think that she is still remembered.

"It may give us another opportunity to celebrate her connection with the town," he said.

The memory of the singer, who was the Maria Callas of her day, still lives on in both Malvern and Worcester.

Two of her subscription concerts in Worcester in 1849 raised enough money to build the Jenny Lind Chapel at Worcester Royal Infirmary - which still stands today.

And Jenny, who gave her last concert at the now demolished Royal Spa Hall in Wyche, is buried in Malvern Cemetery. A specially commissioned bust of her stands in Malvern Theatres.