OPERA North is on a whistle stop tour to highlight the appeal of opera ahead of plans for a new opera about County Durham and its history.

The company's Whistle Stop Opera Tour consists of a 30-minute show with songs and stories from some of the world’s best-loved music.

The aim is to provide an opportunity for people new to opera to hear some of the country’s finest operatic voices, discover what opera is about and learn about the plans for a new full-length work.

The tour is organised by Northern Heartlands, the Durham Great Place Scheme, and is the first event in a partnership with Opera North until 2020 which will culminate in an original opera telling the story of the history and heritage of County Durham.

Whistle stop performances are in informal settings with coffee or tea and cake available.

They take place tomorrow, October 20, at The Witham, Barnard Castle, at 11am; Hamsterley Village Hall at 3pm; and on Sunday, October 21, at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum, at Shildon, at 11am; and The Pod at No 42, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, at 3pm.

Each short performance is with three soloists and an accordionist from Opera North, followed by a Q&A session and an introduction to Northern Heartlands Community Opera project.

Jill Cole, director of Northern Heartlands, said: “The Whistle Stop Tour is a great way for people who know nothing about opera to have a taste of the music and the stories behind some of the world’s finest music.

"It’s a brilliant, fun introduction for many people who have never been to opera and who think they probably won’t understand it. It’s certainly for everyone, and it’s also a way of linking Northern Heartlands with Opera North as we start out on a journey with them to create an opera about our Great Place.”

The new opera will be performed at Locomotion in Shildon in May, 2020, with preparations starting early next year. There will be opportunities at each Whistle Stop event to register interest in taking part. No payment is required to attend but booking is recommended.

Tickets can be reserved by contacting thewitham.org.uk or 01833 631107; Hamsterley Village Hall by phoning Jaquie Holloway on 01388 488323; Locomotion on 01904 685780; or No 42 via ticketsource.co.uk. Tickets are also available via Northern Heartlands on 01833 200220 or www.northernheartlands.org. Events are free.