ABEROPERA return to Old College tonight, when, under the guidance of their musical director, Alistair Auld, they will give another concert in support of Mind Aberystwyth.

Alistair, who conducts two Shropshire choirs, also dedicates time to instructing, encouraging and cajoling AberOpera as they create their programmes of popular and well-known arias, duets and choruses.

Many members of the group are friends who have been singing together for a number of years.

Deborah McIntyre, a classical mezzo soprano, travels from Powys; Jenny Fothergill, Joanne Julier, Huw ‘Banjo’ Evans and Paul Keyworth are stalwarts of The Showtime Singers, where Helen MacDougall made a triumphant debut as ‘Mad Margaret’ in last year’s production.

Helen is a professional horn player who tours internationally and has moved to Aberystwyth with her family. Her small son Bryn, while present at some of the rehearsals, has not yet shown an interest in joining the group.

In addition to long-term residents of the area, AberOpera has also attracted students and postgraduates, fleeting but none-the-less valuable additions to the ranks.

Then, last but definitely not least, the concert programmes are enriched by the presence of immensely talented young instrumentalists from the area. Instrumental intervals in February’s concert will be performed by Nansi Dingle, a Year 11 pupil at Penglais, who was successful in a recent audition for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and makes a keenly anticipated return to the Old College.