THE programme for this year's season at Longborough Festival Opera has been announced, with more accessible works performed in English.

The Cotswold opera house, which was converted from an unused chicken shed, has a growing reputation for the quality of its productions and ambitious programmes. Last year, for example, Longborough presented the entire Ring Cycle by Wagner and Mozart's Magic Flute.

The annual festival was the brainchild of music lover Martin Graham, who since 1997 has been the proud owner of a 480-seat Palladian Opera House.

This year Longborough is presenting Benjamin Britten's comic opera Albert Herring, Giacomo Puccini's Tosca and a revival of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte in association with Visible Music Productions.

Albert Herring, which will be sung in English, follows a Suffolk village's quest for a May Queen. After deciding that none of the village maidens is virtuous enough, they decide on a May King. The innocent mother's-boy Albert Herring is selected but during the celebrations he drinks too much alcohol... and decides to go exploring.

Tosca, which will be sung in English and Italian, is described as a powerful and dramatic opera.

Scarpia, a police chief, is infatuated by Floria Tosca, a celebrated singer. Her lover, Cavaradossi, is caught up in a plot to help a revolutionary fugitive to escape. To save her lover from torture at the hands of Scarpia, Tosca reveals the whereabouts of the fugitive, only to be double-crossed by Scarpia.

Cosi Fan Tutte, another opera to be sung in English, is a delightful comedy with sublime music. Two young officers are persuaded to test the loyalty of their fiances by disguising themselves as Albanian merchants. The girls eventually succumb to their new admirers with consequences at once comic and serious.

Performers over the coming season include Edward Lyon, singing the role of Albert Herring, Jenny Miller as Tosca, Ben Bland, Margaret Cameron, Darren Fox, Carol Rowlands and Sally Silver.

Directors at Longborough this year include Alan Privett and Richard Studer, with Jonathan Lyness and David Murphy wielding the baton.

The season starts with Albert Herring on June 11 and performances will run until the end of July.

Tickets start at £30 and patrons are invited to bring their own picnic to enjoy during the 75-minute interval.

To find out more call the box office on 01451 830292.