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Thomas Hardy's classic novel Far From the Madding Crowd has been adapted to an opera of five acts and will come to Wednesbury this August.

Soprano, Paula Downes

Hardy's novel has been a classic love story for over a hundred years. The operatic adaptation has been written by Cynthia Downes with music by her husband; British Classical composer Andrew Downes who was born in Birmingham.

He said: "The strong and reliable Gabriel Oak to the wilful and teasing Bathsheba Everdene allowed us full reign to develop such characterisation through the music."

The opera has already been premiered in Dorchester receiving great reviews.

You can catch it on 29th, 30th and 31st August at St James Church, Wednesbury.

Tickets are £5 and can be obtained from Steve Melia on: 0121 502 5751