VERDI’S classic opera La Traviata will be performed at a North-East church on Valentine's Day.

Opera Nova will perform the 1853 opera in St Brandon’s Church, Brancepeth, near Durham, on Sunday, February 14.

Durham-based soprano Mary Coffield will sing the leading role of Violetta, a part she sang earlier this year with the same group and last year with Opera San Miguel in Spain.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to get another chance to sing this wonderful music at such a beautiful venue. This is the perfect setting and the perfect day to perform such a romantic piece,” she said.

The opera is based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel La dame aux Camellias and tells the tragic tale of a doomed love affair between fragile courtesan Violetta and her wealthy young suitor Alfredo.

Alan Phelps will play Alfredo and Bill Lewis takes the role of Germont. The Opera Nova chorus will be conducted by Richard Bloodworth and accompanied by Alison Gill.

St Brandon’s Church is more than 900-years-old but had to almost completely rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1998. It will be transformed into a French-style café for the performance.

The show starts at 3.30pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, £1 for students and under-16s. A “substantial sum” from ticket sales and a raffle will be donated to the charity Water Aid. To book, call 01642-807-033, 07872-339-167 or 07936-080-535.