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Albert Herring is the brightest, breeziest and wittiest of all Britten’s operas. A delightful chamber piece that follows the fortunes of down-trodden young simpleton Albert Herring, who is put forward by the grotesque village worthies to be ‘King of May’ because the local girls have all disgraced themselves. Young lovers Sid and Nancy spike his drink on May Day and enjoy the chaos that ensues, when he escapes humiliation and his mother’s clutches.

Britten expert Steuart Bedford conducts a fabulous cast, including Christine Brewer as Lady Billows, Gillian Keith as Miss Wordsworth, Roderick Williams as Mr Gedge and rising star Andrew Staples as Albert himself.