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Internationally renowned opera star, mezzo–soprano Yvonne Howard, has agreed to lead an impressive line-up at the very first picnic concert held at the picturesque cricket field at Mill Green, Shudy Camps, three miles from Haverhill.

Yvonne Howard, who is from this area, made her debut with the Royal Opera Covent Garden as Mercedes in Carmen in 1991.

Since then she has taken on a repertoire of roles including Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, Cornelia in Giulio Cesare and the Heavenly Voice in Parsifal.

For English National Opera she has performed Amastris, Xerxes and Meg Page. She has also appeared in Xerxes in Sao Paolo, Die Walküre in Paris and Nantes and Falstaff and Madama Butterfly in Tel Aviv, as Eduige Rodelinda with Opera Theatre Company and Azucena in Il Trovatore in Ireland.

Recent engagements include appearing on TV on the Gareth Malone Goes To Glyndebourne series, where she was in the professional cast which were supported by a young chorus trained by the indomitable Gareth.

The concert, named A Great Night For Singing, will be held on Sunday, August 1.

Yvonne is preparing a special programme of singing to celebrate the summer. This will include excepts from Porgy And Bess, West Side Story and other items from Bizet, Cole Porter and Puccini.

Other acts will include rock and acoustic themes, so there is something for everyone. Gates will open at 4pm for the audience to enjoy their own picnics.

Strawberry teas will also be available as well as a beer tent and Pimms Bar. There will be ample parking and guests are welcome to bring chairs and tables.

Richard Blackmore, speaking for the concert organisers, said: “Mill Green Cricket Club has organised a feast of local entertainment to rival any of the very popular picnic concerts which are now held around the country.”

The venue will be signposted from the A1307 from Haverhill. The concert program will commence at 6pm.

Tickets are selling fast. These cost £12 per person with accompanied children free.

For more details, please contact Richard Blackmore on 07766444051 or visit www.shudypicnic.co.uk to buy tickets.