SINGERS from Ceredigion, Powys and Gwynedd will come together to perform Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in Aberystwyth.

Mid Wales Opera presents the show at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Wednesday, with a cast of professional singers and support from locals taking part in the chorus.

Machynlleth-based tenor Robyn Lyn Evans plays Lensky, the best friend of Eugene Onegin and suitor to the heroine Tatyana’s sister, Olga.

Stephanie Windsor-Lewis lives in Pennal, near Machynlleth, and is singing the role of Larina, Tatyana’s mother.

She met her husband while singing the role of Olga, so it’s all very romantic to be coming back the piece.

The opera combines Pushkin’s compelling and heart-breaking story with Tchaikovsky’s sweeping lyricism in a stunning exploration of love, death, life and convention.

Stephanie previously sang the role of Olga in Mid Wales Opera artistic directors Jonathan and Richard Studer’s production of the show for their own company, Opera Project.

She has now switched roles and is playing Olga’s mother Larina – with a bit of wrinkle effect make-up and a greying wig!

The production means a lot to the singer, as she explained: “I actually met my husband when he came to watch me playing Olga when I last did the opera!

“My husband and I met once, a month before the show, and as an excuse to come and see me again he wanted to watch a show I was involved in.

“He was a complete opera novice so did lots of research before coming so that he didn’t come across like he didn’t know anything! We went for dinner afterwards and it was pretty much love at first sight”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday