Skipton Building Society Camerata is organising an opera gala to celebrate Yorkshire Day in the town.

One hundred musicians will fill the town hall stage next Friday, August 2, as the Camerata – Yorkshire’s only full-time professional orchestra – is joined by four soloists of international standing and an amateur chorus from Skipton Choral Society.

The evening will feature highlights from operas such as Carmen, La Boheme, The Barber of Seville, Don Giovanni, Lakme and the Pearl Fishers.

Ben Crick, the Camerata’s artistic director, said: “Opera is magnificent – a magical mix of drama and music – making it the ideal celebratory musical form for an occasion like this. During the first weekend in August we will be enjoying all that is marvellous about Yorkshire – and love of music is very much part of our culture.”

The four soloists are bass baritone John Cunningham, recently with Opera North and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; mezzo soprano Hannah Mason, currently a principal with English National Opera; Claire Ormshaw, who has established a reputation for being one of Britain’s most versatile sopranos; and tenor Nick Hardy, a regular soloist with Welsh National Opera.

Ben added: “It’s a tremendous honour for us to have been chosen to be part of the town’s Yorkshire Day celebrations and the added bonus for the orchestra is that it will also be our debut performance in the town hall.

“I’m sure it will be a great occasion. We are looking forward to enjoying the evening with our loyal local audience as well as with concert-goers who are coming from further afield.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets priced £15 are available from the Camerata box office on 01756 707606 or online at skiptoncamerata.com