A SUMMER fiesta of musical entertainment will engage audiences across Bendigo in February.

Residents are invited to spend a weekend with the stars at some of the city’s most glorious locations from February 9 to 11.

The Bendigo Summer Fiesta will include star performers, performances under the stars, and even a little star gazing.

The event will kick off with opera under the stars at Balgownie Estate, featuring opera and music theatre performed by four singers from Music

Theatre Australia’s group Pot-Pourri.

The audience is invited to take along a picnic rug and enjoy the evening.

Other musical moments will include an intimate, acoustic performance by Kate Ceberano in the Capital Theatre.

The fiesta will take on a distinctly Mediterranean feel with visitors to the Bendigo Art Gallery enjoying a performance by Los Chanelas, whose music is a combination of flamenco, Spanish rumba and salsa rhythms.

In the Sacred Heart Cathedral, two of Italy’s finest voices, soprano Rafaella Benori and tenor Francesco Grollo, will perform opera arias and Neopolitan songs, accompanied by renowned Italian organist Sergio de Pieri.

Younger audiences can enjoy activities centred around the Discovery Science and Technology Centre, where science meets music in the form of workshops, a children’s comic opera and star gazing instruction from a professional star gazer.

The weekend concludes at the Goldmines Hotel, where the Stiletto Sisters will entertain with tango rhythms and songs from Europe and Latin America.  For information and ticket prices, phone Millicent Bainbridge, marketing and major events unit, City Of Greater Bendigo on 5434 6006 or email m.bainbridge@bendigo.vic.gov.au.