WANDERING opera singer David Pisaro will bring the hills alive with the sound of music.

The US tenor is setting off on a 200-mile trek across the North of England, stopping off each night to perform in pubs, churches, halls and farmhouses.

He will sing composer Franz Schubert's Die Winterreise, The Winter's Journey, after getting into character with a daily hike of about 20 miles.

Mr Pisaro, who lives in Middlesbrough with soprano girlfriend Emily Smith, will trek the Coast-to-Coast path from St Bees, in Cumbria, via the North Pennines to Robin Hood's Bay, in North Yorkshire.

He will be joined by pianist Quentin Thomas at the end of each day for hisperformance, which features 24 songs.

He will start his 13-day walk on Monday, January 19.

Mr Pisaro, 28, from Buffalo, in New York State, is studying for a music degree at York University.

He said: "It is going to be a nightmare logistically, and it is anyone's guess how it will turn out."

The first stops will be St Mary's Church, in Ennerdale, and St John's Church, in Keswick.

Cumbria Tourist Board chief executive Chris Collier said: "The Coast-to-Coast path is one of Britain's most popular long-distance walks, it includes some of Britain's most inspiring scenery.

"This must be one of the most unusual trips someone has taken. I wish David well."