INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed artists have been lined up for the Isle of Wight’s second Summer Opera Fest.

Project:Opera has announced the dates and details for its hotly anticipated 2019 event.

On Thursday, July 18, will be a blend of German Lieder by Schubert, Schumann and Wagner, with French, English and Italian songs, including Nick Martin's award-winning Life in a Day. This will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Cowes, at 7pm.

On Friday, July 19, will be Viva Verdi! — a programme of arias and ensembles from Rigoletto, La Traviata and more. Starts 7pm, at St Catherine's Church, Ventnor.

On Sunday, July 21, from 3.30pm there will be Tea at the Opera at All Saints' Church, Ryde, with a feast of favourites such as Pearl Fishers' Duet, Barcarolle and Gilbert and Sullivan.

Celebrated pianist Angela Pascale will accompany top artists including sopranos Annalisa Vaughan and Marika Rauscher, mezzo Clarice Williams, tenor Randy Nichol, bass-baritone Ian Wilson-Pope and clarinettist Robert Blanken.

Since its start in 2016, Project:Opera has brought the magic of live music to venues around the Isle of Wight, bringing professional opera singers and musicians to churches and community venues, to help make opera accessible to all.

Over the years, the company has donated profits to several local charities, including The Caring Cancer Trust, Aspire, Mountbatten through A Day at the Bay, The Open Arms, and raised awareness for Isle of Wight Pride by running the first UK Pride Opera Festival in 2018.

Project:Opera's managing director and lead soprano Annalisa Vaughan has also been working on the company's expanding outreach, by running the Wellbeing Singing Group, free to all members of the community who suffer from anxiety and depression, and by making voice projection and wellbeing workshops available to schools and care homes.

She said: “Project:Opera has converted many a sceptic to the allure of live opera, regardless of language, age or background, thanks to the high quality of the performers, most of which have extensive experience in performing with opera houses spanning from Opera North and Covent Garden to Sydney.”

Tickets are available on www.ticketsource.co.uk/project-opera or via 07757 965339.