INSPIRED by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Monteverdi’s Flying Circus sees the Armonico Consort delve into the psyche of Claudio Monteverdi, an extraordinary composer who confronted his demons and created some of the most divine music ever written.

Four centuries ago Claudio Monteverdi was beavering away writing some of the world’s first operas.

The people were hungry for entertainment, and he was between Baroque and a hard place.

But with courage, skill, a wispy beard, wit and style he pulled it off, writing some of the greatest music known to man.

Four hundred years later, Armonico Consort has taken some of the most beautiful melodies ever to have been created from all three of Monteverdi’s operas – L’Orfeo, Ulysses and Poppea - and, in a feat never before attempted, will re-tell these great tales in just one evening.

With a cast of world class singers, and in a hugely entertaining evening of music, puppetry, circus, comedy, lighting and dance, 40 years of Monteverdi’s operas are retold in just one night in a way you will never have experienced before.

The concert is being held in St Peter’s Church, Parkstone on May 25 at 8pm.

Tickets are £16 from 0844 406 8666.