ENGLISH Touring Opera explodes on to the Malvern scene next week with a Baroque festival celebrating the birth of opera.

Five Baroque masterpieces will be staged at the Festival Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday. They are Cavalli's erotic comedy, Erismena (in a sparkling 17th century English translation); a revival of the production of Handel's Tolomeo that received rave reviews and played to sold-out houses in London this year; Monteverdi's Orfeo; and Purcell's Dido and Aenaes, paired with a staged version of Carissimi's oratorio, Jephte.

An orchestra of 18 period instrumentalists will do justice to the authenticity of these pieces.

Saver tickets are available when booking to see more than one production. To book call 01684 892277.