ALL aspects of love take centre stage when the Welsh National Opera’s spring season comes to Bristol next month.

With three acclaimed productions at the Bristol Hippodrome focussing on matters of the heart, and seen from a woman’s perspective, the shows will feature rising stars Rebecca Evans, Sara Fulgoni and Joyce El-Khoury.

The season will begin with David McVicar’s highly acclaimed production of Verdi’s La Traviata on April 10 and 13 at 7.15pm.

Set in 19th century Paris the show will bring Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury to the stage in the role of Violetta.

McVicar’s detailed production evokes a world where the aspirations of a young courtesan Violetta Val�ry are cruelly defeated by social convention, leaving her to make the ultimate sacrifice for love.

Also in the spring series is Beatrice and Benedict, who are quite possibly the most famous quarrelsome couples in Western art and will be performed on April 11 at 7.15pm.

Amongst the rich Mediterranean setting, this production questions if the couple will make it to the alter on time or if their feuding banter will destroy their passionate love affair.

And finally, the audience will hear the famous words ‘I’m getting married in the morning’ in The Marriage of Figaro which will also be at the Hippodrome on April 12 and 14 at 7pm.

Set in the early 1930s, Rebecca Evans makes a welcome return to the role of Countess Almaviva, bringing poignancy and insight to the plight of the character who is slighted by her husband’s attempts to seduce the household maid Susanna on her wedding day.

Tickets, priced �7.50-39.50, are available from the box office on 0844 8713012.

n The North Somerset Times has teamed up with The Hippodrome to offer two readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to see La Traviata on April 10.

To enter the competition simply answer the following question: What city is the show La Traviata set in?

Send your answer, along with your name, address and a daytime telephone number, to Welsh National Opera – La Traviata competition, North Somerset Times, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LW by 9am on March 30.

Alternatively click on the link at the top right of this story.

Usual Archant rules apply and the editor’s decision is final.