Local composer Edward Lambert - the former conductor of Newbury Chamber Choir - returns with a protest opera featuring the Bible and bombs.

The Rapture is a new short opera which scrutinises the espousal of apocalyptic prophesies in the US and their chilling influence on the current situation in Palestine.

It will be performed by his Music Troupe at the Croft Hall, Hungerford on Sunday, October 5 at 4.30pm to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (map.org.uk)

The Rapture is an operatic allegory for a cast of four singers which draws on the expressions of preachers, politicians and activists in the US and Israel.

'The King', who could be mistaken for Trump, celebrates his Second Coming and leads a Crusade to restore the territory of Israel to its ancient boundaries. Eve, from the other end of the Bible, tends the Garden of Eden. In our story, she has been created before Adam but rejects the mate that God creates for her. With her homeland destroyed, she survives to muse upon the futility of holy wars and the dangerous power of words.

The Music Troupe has been in existence for more than 11 years and created 14 productions of new operas in London, Brighton, Yorkshire, Newbury and Manchester; works which are tailored, rather than reduced, for an intimate experience.

"While large institutions can ill afford to tackle many new works, we have shown that new and nimble musical dramas can be entertaining, relevant, economical and suited to all kinds of venues," says Edward.

As well as collaborations with contemporary writers, Edward Lambert has created operas based on works by Lorca, Shelley, Wilde, Pirandello, Poe and Middleton, and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

Following its premiere in London at Tête-à-Tête: The Opera Festival, the production travels to Hungerford where the performance will be complemented by songs, operatic favourites and tea & biscuits.