COMPAGNIA d'Opera Italiano di Milano returns to Malvern Theatres for the fourth successive year with its acclaimed production of Un Ballo in Maschera.

Renowned for its superb soloists, full chorus, 36-piece orchestra, lavish costumes and sets, the Compagnia presents this polished traditional production sung in the original Italian.

A favourite with Malvern Theatres audiences, the Compagnia returns after sell-out visits with Tosca (2002), La Traviata (2001) and La Boheme (2000), and promise another series of enchanting performances.

Basing the opera on the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masked ball in 1792, Verdi reworks the facts into a tale of political intrigue and secret love, duty and honour, passion and revenge.

Un Ballo in Maschera tells of the Governor Riccardo and his friend Renato. Despite a warning from Renato of a conspiracy to assassinate him, the governor remains unperturbed.

Tragic turn

He has not time to worry as he is too busy chasing his secret love Amelia, who happens to be his friend Renato's wife.

Then, at the evening's splendid masked ball, events take a tragic turn.

Originally banned by the censors because of its seditious plot, Un Ballo in Maschera is set to some of the finest of Verdi's soaring music and breathtaking arias, and includes the famous quintet, The Laughing Chorus.

For over 50 years, the Compagnia d'Opera Italiano di Milano has guaranteed the highest standard of performance. These productions are not only outstanding because of the excellent quality of the singers' voices, but also because the traditional productions are polished down to the last detail.

Verdi's powerful combination of traditional Italian ''bel canto'' (''beautiful singing'') and his intense sense of drama cannot be better be seen than in Un Ballo in Maschera.

The opera will be performed at the Festival Theatre, Malvern from Thursday, February 27, to Saturday, March 1, with tickets ranging from £17-£23. Call 01684 892277.