Performer: Richard Hansen

Young Opera Venture states that its aims are to provide professional performing opportunities for young graduate singers, and to bring affordable opera performances to small venues in towns where opera isn’t normally available.

Lust, betrayal, beheadings. The words appeared prominently in the publicity for Opera Seria’s debut production of Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, bringing Horrible Histories fleetingly to mind, but they do sum up the plot of one of the composer’s greatest works rather well.