Whitehill pianist Mark Hoare and Southampton opera singer and comedy writer Lucy Mellors will investigate the question Is Opera Boring? at The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre in Bordon on December 2 at 7.30pm.

The poet WH Auden obviously thought not, saying: “No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.”

Mark and Lucy are never sensible if they can help it, and they feel the four most crucial things in opera are love, murder, passion and pineapples.

A Phoenix spokesperson said: “Have you ever wondered what being an opera singer is like? Probably not, but come along anyway. Join Lucy and Mark for a unique blend of magical opera and hilarious anecdotes about life in the arts – perhaps opera is not quite as glamorous as it seems.

“Expect big belly laughs, some opera hits and some touching moments as Lucy and Mark take you through the music that means the most to them.”

For tickets, priced £12, visit www.phoenixarts.co.uk