Budding opera singers are set to test their skills at a show in Wrexham.

North Wales Opera Studio will hold a concert at St Giles Church in Wrexham at 7.30pm today.

While studio members had featured as guest performers at shows in Wrexham, this was the first concert of its own in the town.

The concert will feature scenes from a host of popular works, including La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, La Traviata and Faust.

Anne Williams King, an internationally known soprano and co-director of the studio, said that the concerts would feature “all the favourites”.

“It’s a variety of things that most people will know and we have got some fantastic voices, really talented young people.”

Anne, of Penycae, formed the studio two years ago with her husband and fellow singer David Bartleet.

They formed the studio due to a lack of similar facilities in the area, meaning that those who wanted to study opera had to travel to Manchester, Birmingham or London.

The team also comprises accompanist and musical director Marco Belluzzi and vocal coach Deborah Lea.

North Wales Opera Studio initially held day workshops but branched out into week-long courses, with a performance at the end.

Performances and workshops have mostly been in Llangollen, but Ann said performances with the London Welsh Male Voice Choir and the NEW Symfonia in Wrexham this year created a wider audience which led to this evening’s concert being held in the town.

Of the end-of-week shows, Ann said: “Whenever we have done one of these shows we have had a very good response.”

The performances help the students – who are all in their 20s or 30s – develop their stagecraft, vocals and language skills.

“It’s a training ground and it gies people the chance to see what it’s like to work as a professional opera singer.”

Doors open at 7pm for the St Giles concert and show time is 7.30pm.

Tickets are £10 on the door or from the Wrexham Tourist Information Centre.