OPERA legends José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa were expected to perform to a sell-out audience at Scarborough’s refurbished open air theatre last night.

The performance was the opening gala of the 6,500- seat venue, Europe’s largest open-air theatre, which recently reopened after a £3.5 million upgrade.

Speaking before the show, Bill Elms, of the open air theatre’s marketing department, said: “It’s a complete sell-out performance this evening.

“We have the weather going for us and it’s going to be a fantastic evening.

“This has been three years in the making and this is the first official performance with a magnificent line-up.”

The concert was one of only two British dates this year for Carreras and also was the first time that he and Dame Kiri have performed in concert together in Britain.

The pair were believed to be staying at Middlethorpe Hall, in York, as they prepared for the event last night. The Orchestra of Opera North and Huddersfield Choral Society were also performing and the compere was veteran British actor Brian Blessed.

Mr Elms said: “Everybody is extremely excited here – rushing around and getting everything ready.

“There is a real buzz about the place.

“The whole town is talking about it.”