Verdi and Wagner come under the spotlight in a series of talks by Oxenhope man John Pettitt.

Opera and classical music expert John is delivering four illustrated talks about the famous composers.

John, a reviewer for the Keighley News, hosts the presentations on Fridays each month at the Square Chapel in Halifax.

The first will be tomorrow from 2pm to 4pm, and the £6 cost of each session includes refreshments. Other sessions on May 9, June 30 and July 11, chronologically follow the composers through their careers.

John describes Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi as the ‘giants of opera’ and dwells on the fact that they were both born in 1813.

John, a member of the Maria Callas International Club, will punctuate his talks with operatic extracts.

The Square Chapel will also host a wartime singalong on May 1, the Yorkshire Wind Orchestra’s spring spectacular on April 26, and Angela Brownridge’s piano recital on May 30.

Halifax Symphony Orchestra perform Suite Music, including the Peer Gynt, Moorside and Karelia suites, on May 18.

There will be afternoon tea with the Piano Club on May 24.

Visit squarechapel.co.uk or call 01422 349422 for further information.