AN OPERA company is celebrating being shortlisted for an international award.

Bampton Classical Opera’s production of Stephen Storace’s ‘Gli sposi malcontenti’ (‘Bride and Gloom’) has been nominated in the Rediscovered Work category at the International Opera Awards.

The opera did four performances of the two-act comedy, with two in the Deanery Garden, Bampton, and one each at the Westonbirt School, Gloucestershire and St John’s Smith Square, London.

Jeremy Gray, co-artistic director at Bampton Classical Opera, said: “We are thrilled that our 2019 production of English composer Stephen Storace’s Bride & Gloom has been shortlisted for the Rediscovered Work award at this year’s prestigious International Opera Awards.

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“It’s wonderful to be recognised for our longstanding commitment to rare opera gems that deserve to be given another hearing.”

Bride and Gloom hadn’t been performed in the UK since 1985.

Bampton Classical Opera is one of eight in its category, alongside the Royal Danish Opera, the Teatro Regio (Turin), and the Opera de Dijon.

Bampton Classical Opera was founded in 1993 by its artistic directors Mr Gray and Gilly French, and specialises in rare operas from the late 18th century.

The International Opera Awards take place at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London on Monday, May 4.