Bilbao opera season

Britons taking a cross-channel ferry to Bilbao this summer will be able to take in the city's famed Opera Season.

The 2007/2008 season, launched last September, is celebrating with work of Puccini. Drawing to a close on May 19th, the annual event draws crowds from across the continent to the Spanish city.

This season's closing opera of Puccini's Turandot is set to be a spectacular send-off for the seven-month programme of shows and concerts which has seen performances of Bluebeard's Castle by Bartok and Strauss' Elektra.

Held at the Euskalduna Concert Hall and with musical accompaniment from the Bilbao and Euskadiko Symphonic Orchestras and the Bilbao Opera Choir, the shows provide a unique experience for holidaymakers.

Britons unable to make it to Bilbao for the May show will be able to take a ferry to Spain later in the year when the 2008/2009 season opens in September.