OPERA lovers are in for a treat as a live performance of an Italian opera is to be screened in town next week.

In a special one-off show on Tuesday, Guiseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto will be streamed live from the Royal Opera House to the Empire cinema, Greenbridge. Starting at 7.15pm, cinema-goers can enjoy the famous tragic opera, as directed by David McVicar, performed live in London.

Based on Victor Hugo’s play Le Roi s’amuse, Rigoletto is the story of a tormented jester’s quest for vengeance against his heartless playboy employer the Duke of Mantua, who has seduced Rigoletto’s innocent daughter Gilda.

Jon Nutton, marketing director of Empire Cinemas, said: “We’re really pleased to bring Verdi’s Rigoletto to Swindon. To show an opera that was first performed in Venice in 1851 is really exciting.”

To book tickets, visit www.EmpireCinemas.co.uk or call 08714714714.