Mid Wales Opera is returning to Huddersfield to celebrate the centenary of the birth of leading British composer Benjamin Britten.

The company will perform Britten’s comic chamber opera Albert Herring in a co-production with the Opera Theatre Company.

The opera, performed at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, is set in a sleepy village, where residents decide none of the local girls are suitable to become the May Queen.

All eyes focus on Albert, from the greengrocers, to be the village’s first May King. But things take a turn for the worse after Albert is slipped a little something in his victory glass of lemonade. Albert Herring is described as a classic comic description of village life. There is a cast of recognisable rural characters, including the village bobby, the local vicar and the landed gentry.

Albert Herring is a complete change for Mid Wales Opera and its artistic director Nicholas Cleobury following their visit last year with Mozart’s dramatic Don Giovanni.

The company has been producing opera since 1988, specialising in national tours and winning several awards.

There will be an introductory workshop about opera with artists from Mid Wales Opera on Friday, September 13, from 10am to 12.30pm. Tickets are free but advance booking is needed through the box office. Visit thelbt.org or call (01484) 430528 for tickets and information.