GUESTS at a North Yorkshire castle could have been forgiven if they thought they had been seeing ghosts.
But in fact Hazlewood Castle, near Tadcaster, was being visited by an altogether-less-frightening presence - members of York Opera, who were there practising for their forthcoming production, Don Carlos.
Set in Spain, the plot of Verdi's opera centres around Don Carlos, Crown Prince of Spain, who has been betrothed to Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Henry II of France. The authentic costumes for the York production were hand-made by wardrobe mistress Margaret Soper.
The lead actors have a wealth of experience between them. Neil Dunn, who took the lead in York's production of Turandot two years ago, returns to play Don Carlos. Another York Opera veteran, Sharon Nicholson-Skeggs, plays Elizabeth, while Michael de Costa takes the role of King Philip II.
Produced by Clive Marshall with musical director Alasdair Jamieson, Don Carlos will be presented at York Theatre Royal on July 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Tickets can be obtained from Richard Shouksmith, tel 01904 490303, or from the Theatre Royal box office.
Updated: 11:46 Friday, June 21, 2002
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