Take a heady mix of pain, pleasure, passion, and unrequited love...

Then add some of the finest music ever written and you have what many theatre goers live for – a night at the opera.

Such music and melodrama will arrive in Helensburgh next month when Scottish Opera stops off in the town as part of a 17-date national tour.

Director Daisy Evans’ Opera Highlights show in the Victoria Halls will feature an operatic playlist from much-loved and lesser-known composers.

And newcomers to opera are being urged to come along and join others who are already aficionados of the musical genre.

The Burgh will be a significant stopping off point for Scottish Opera’s musical director, Jonathon Swinard.

As conductor of the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir, Jonathon already knows that the town is well versed in matters musical.

And in a ‘double’ for the Burgh, the tour programme has been curated by Scottish Opera’s head of music, Derek Clark, who lives in the town.

Jonathon told the Advertiser: “Scottish Opera is looking forward to coming back to Helensburgh.

“For a community of its size, there is a great music scene and interest in the arts.

“We are hoping that people who haven’t had an experience of opera come along and enjoy the night.

“Derek has been head of music at Scottish Opera for 20 years and has chosen the playlist for the show.

“There will be a balance of music, some which people will know and recognise and there will be some lesser known pieces.”

The Victoria Halls will be one of the larger venues on the tour which aims to take the show to as many communities as possible throughout Scotland.

The programme includes favourites from Mozart and Donizetti linked by new compositions by Scottish Opera composer in Residence Samuel Bordoli, who was recently nominated in the ‘One to Watch’ category at the Sunday Herald Culture Awards.

Taking part will be Scottish Opera ‘emerging artist’, soprano Sofia Troncoso, who will sing the role of Papagena in the company’s production of The Magic Flute next year; mezzo soprano Sarah Champion; tenor Richard Pinkstone and baritone Dawid Kimberg.

Daisy Evans said: “This evening of opera highlights conjures drama as the singers take us on a wild journey through betrayal, pain, misplaced love and home truths, revealing the intense world of opera piece by piece.’

Scottish Opera’s general director, Alex Reedijk, said: ‘Touring Scotland has been at the heart of what we do for over 30 years and Opera Highlights is the perfect show to take to smaller and more remote communities around the country as it truly has something for everyone.”

The tour, supported by The Friends of Scottish Opera and JTH Charitable Trust, visits Helensburgh’s Victoria Halls on Thursday, October 11 at 7.30pm.

For tickets contact the Victoria Halls box office on 01436 673275.