Bryn Terfel has been performing the role on tour in Cardiff, Birmingham and Llandudno, with Roberto De Candia scheduled to take over the role in Southampton.

However, Roberto De Candia has withdrawn due to illness and WNO only announced on Monday, that the Welsh opera star would be performing the role in Verdi's opera in Southampton.

Falstaff opened at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff earlier this month to outstanding reviews and there are still tickets available for the Southampton performance.

Welsh National Opera's regular spring slot at the Mayflower also features a revival of Mozart's The Magic Flute on Tuesday March 25 and Friday, March 28.

Directed by Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre in London, the production, which is sung in English with surtitles, sees Welsh soprano, Rebecca Evans, in the central role of Pamina.

advertisementThe colourful production takes its inspiration from paintings by surrealist artist Magritte with design by Julian Crouch, co-creator of the cult show, Shockheaded Peter.

The Magic Flute is one of the most accessible operas in the repertoire and a perfect introduction for newcomers with Mozart's unforgettable score.

The story is simple, Tamino loves Pamina. Papageno loves Papagena. But the course of true love does not run smoothly.

The evil servant, Monostatos, High Priest Sarastro and the Queen of the Night plot to make life difficult. Things are not always as they seem though, and with the help of a magic flute Tamino, Pamina and Papageno undergo various trials to enable the course of true love to come true.

Completing the trio of operas touring to Southampton is a revival of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin with Nuccia Focile taking the title role of Tatyana.

For tickets and information contact the Mayflower Box Office on 023 8071 1811.

Source: Salsbury Journal