Making wonderful and dramatic opera possible and easy to access for the residents of North Yorkshire is a point of pride for the Ryedale Festival. This year it brings England’s first great opera Venus and Adonis to the doorsteps of residents for the affordable price of £20.

The pocket sized, pop-up opera production is set to be performed by the Ryedale Festival Opera, conducted by Eamonn Dougan and directed by Monica Nicolaides, in a tour of three of the Ryedale region’s most ancient and atmospheric churches between Friday 21^st and Monday 23^rd July.

Venus and Adonis is a magical retelling of the Classical myth of these two well-known characters, following Cupid’s accidental striking of Venus with one of his love arrows. The mini-opera was written for the party-loving court of King Charles II, and explores the differences between desire, lust and love. Moving seamlessly between comedy, tragedy, worldly cynicism and witty innuendo, towards a devastating and unforgettable conclusion, this production is certainly not one to miss on its tour around Ryedale.

Friday 21^st July, 11am – All Saints’ Church, Kirkbymoorside – Tickets on sale at https://ryedalefestival.com/event/22-coffee-concert-venus-and-adonis-i/

Saturday 22^nd July, 4pm – All Saints’ Church, Helmsley – Tickets on sale at https://ryedalefestival.com/event/27-venus-and-adonis-ii/

Sunday 23^rd July, 4pm – St. Michael’s Church, Malton – Tickets on sale at https://ryedalefestival.com/event/32-venus-and-adonis-iii/