The grounds of the Bishop's Palace will be filled with song on July 14 and 15 as the magnificent setting hosts two operas.

Opera Brava will be performing Puccini's Tosca on July 14, and Rossini's The Barber of Seville on July 15. (Both are sung in English). The performances have been organised by social enterprise Project Factory.

Tosca is a tale of passion and jealousy as its heroine Tosca, a fiery opera singer, fights to save her lover Cavaradossi from the villain of the piece, the police chief Scarpia. Expect huge emotion, edge-of-your-seat thrills, heart-wrenching poignancy and glorious music.

The Barber of Seville is a comic opera. Frivolous and flighty, the story tells of the mischievous escapades of Figaro, the barber, as he assists Count Almaviva to prise the beautiful Rosina from the clutches of her lecherous guardian, Dr Bartolo. Confusion and misunderstandings abound, with wonderful hummable melodies and moments of high comedy, before, of course, love conquers all!

To make the experience even more wonderful, Project Factory have been working with local food producers to provide Somerset picnics for some interval nibbling.

The Bay Tree Food Company is sponsoring the picnics. Founder, Emma Macdonald, from Hornblotton, says: "Sublime music in the open air is such a special treat and we are delighted to be a part of it. We have great producers here in Somerset and this is a marvellous opportunity to showcase some of our wonderful local food." 

The picnic includes a hummus dip with crudités, and hand-made proper sausage rolls from Little Jack Horner's in Mells, (vegetarian version available).

To add to the mouth-watering menu there is award-winning cheese from Westcombe Cheddar, and delicious dessert from the distinguished local food writer and Bramble Kitchen cook, Mary Cadogan, accompanied by Cheddar strawberries.

Mr Filbert's, based at West Pennard, has supplied olives for nibbling, Bay Tree chutney will be on the menu, with Brown Bag crisps, crackers from The Fine Cheese Company of Bath, and spicy ginger cookies.

Mr Filbert's nuts, soft drinks, Orchard Park Farm cider, wine, Prosecco and champagne will be available from the bar, and Brickells Hand-crafted Ice Cream will be bringing its own van with cones and tubs for the interval.

Picnics can be ordered in advance from https://www.projectfactory.uk/shop. 

Opera tickets from The Bishop's Palace, Wells https://bishopspalace.org.uk/

Doors open 6pm. Opera goers should bring their own seating