All the intense emotion and heart-rending passion of Giacomo Puccini’s greatest operas will be on vivid display at this stunning presentation of the great composer’s life and works.

Puccini – portrayed by Coronation Street actor Richard Hawley – will be interviewed live on stage by BBC South Today presenter Sally Taylor, when his fascinating life story will unfold.

Interlaced with the dialogue will be dramatic excerpts from operas including La Bohème, Tosca, Madam Butterfly and Turandot which mark Puccini as one of the greatest operatic composers who ever lived.

The glorious music will be performed by Sussex Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 25th anniversary under its charismatic founder and conductor Mark Andrew James, with soloists Joanne Appleby, soprano, and Andrew Rees, tenor.

Joanne Appleby, currently a member of English National Opera, has performed at major venues across the UK and in over 30 countries.

Andrew Rees has performed for The Royal Opera at Covent Garden, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, with the Halle Orchestra at the BBC Proms and at major opera houses and concert halls across Europe.