Ii you go down to the gardens in Oldcastle, Co Meath this summer, you're sure of a big surprise. It's picnic time in the historic Loughcrew Gardens, where two gala opera evenings are currently being planned. Performances will be sung in Italian, under the direction of London's Nicholas Heath.
The Marriage of Figaro will be performed on Friday, June 30th and on Saturday, July 1st in the gardens. The lord and lady of the manor, Charles Naper and his wife Emily Naper will be dressed in 18th century costume for the occasion and their three sons - JJ (10), Edward (14) and Nicholas (15) - well, "they may or may not co-operate" and dress up too, as their father says.
Details about tickets for the fund-raising event, which is in aid of research at Dublin's St Patrick's Hospital on James's Street are available on the website www.loughcrew.com or by phoning 0498541356.