AN EVENING of classical music, choir singing and orchestral performances is set to open this year’s Black Country Festival.

Local community group ‘Gig Caritas’ is putting on a night at the opera, showcasing talent from the local area and the West End.

‘Opera - The Best Bits!’, taking place at St John’s United Reformed Church, in Stourbridge, is being run in conjunction with the festival and money raised during the show will be donated to Parkinson’s UK.

Starting at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 4, the event is set to include performances from professional soloists, a choir comprised of the Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company and the In Sound Company as well as the Stourbridge Chamber Orchestra.

Keith Horsfall, Gig Caritas chairman, said: “We took part in the festival last year and we were enthused to do so this year too. A vast majority of our performers are either based in or hold strong links to the Black Country.

“It’s lovely to be involved in something that draws the whole community together in such diverse ways, whilst also showcasing just what goes on in the Black Country.”

Councillor Pete Lowe, leader of Dudley Council, said: “In the Black Country we aren’t widely known for our opera, but we are definitely renowned for our diversity. Gig Caritas is really offering that this year.

“The Best Bits evening that they are organising is set to be a night packed with local talent, musical displays and orchestral class.”

Steve Edwards, chairman of the Black Country Festival organising committee, said: “We have really pushed for diversity in this year’s festival, including more sport, more music, more culture and more range.

“We’ve never been involved with anything like an opera group so this is a refreshing opportunity for the area.”

Tickets are priced at £10 per person with limited spaces available. More information can be found by visiting www.gigcaritas.com

Organisers of this year’s Black Country Festival promise the event to be even bigger and better than last time, with a variety of entertainment already due to take place across the borough.

A packed programme of events, including many of the same as last year, will also feature a Black Country Beer Day, a Black Country 10km run and a variety of sports events scheduled on dates throughout July to celebrate Black Country Day on July 14.

For more information on all the events in this year’s festival visit www.blackcountryfestival.co.uk