A HOTEL is preparing to provide the stage for an opera company.

Opera Nova will stage a concert version of Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow in the banqueting suite of the Gisborough Hotel, in Guisborough, east Cleveland.

Opera Nova spokeswoman Jean Pacey said: "This is the perfect setting for an opera about grand living and inter-twined love lives."

Hotel marketing manager Julie Diggles said: "We are committed to supporting local organisations and are delighted to be able to support Opera Nova. It will be a real treat to have them singing in our banqueting suite.''

Her colleague Joanne Hassell said: "Hopefully, if this goes down well, we will be putting on more concerts in the future.

"We had an Elvis night and that seemed to go down well and we are hoping to hold feature tribute nights and things like that in the future."

The Merry Widow will be staged on Sunday, April 25.

For tickets, which include champagne and canapes in the interval, ring (01287) 634533.

Published: 13/04/2004