THE Operetta Company, Farnworth, will once again be in fine voice as they bring the colourful musical The Gypsy Baron to the stage.

Rehearsals are in full swing for the production by the society know for bringing neglected musicals and light operettas to a wider public.

It follows this year's hugely successful production of The Desert Song.

Set in Hungary in the 18th Century, this is the story of the marriage of a landowner, returned from exile, and a gypsy girl who is revealed as the daughter of a Turkish Pasha, and the rightful owner of hidden treasure.

The show involves a fortune-telling Romany Queen, an absurdly self-important Mayor, a rascally Commissioner, a Military Governor, a band of gypsies and a troop of Hussars.

The Gypsy Baron is described as "theatrically very effective and musically superb".

Jean Forrester, publicity officer for the company, said: "The Gypsy Baro is another of the older shows with music by Johann Strauss, and our patrons will recognize many of the tunes in this operetta, one of the main ones having been sung by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald 'One Day When We Were Young' , although it does have different words!"

She added: " Our strong cast again includes the wonderful voice of Clare Unsworth, as the gypsy Princess ­—who won an award for her portrayal of Margot in The Desert Song, ­— and Allen Christey-Casson, our Chairman, Artistic Director and superb tenor, in the title role of ‘The Gypsy Baron’.

"Comedy is in the capable hands of Ken Rees as the Pig Breeder and local Mayor, who will also thrill you with his lovely baritone voice, plus many other strong characters and our super chorus. There will, of course, be a full orchestra under the expert direction of Dr Robert Aston."

Jean said: "Tickets will be available in the New Year, and in March, we will again be bringing the glorious music of ‘yesteryear’, together with romance and comedy to our lovely audiences, and hopefully, playing to full houses.

Tickets will be available in the New Year, and in March, we will again be bringing the glorious music of ‘yesteryear’, together with romance and comedy to our lovely audiences, and hopefully, playing to full houses.