A ROYAL College of Music graduate will be holding an evening of opera and theatre in Whitchurch in September.

But for Baritone Peter Edge the concert has added meaning, as it is a return to his home town.

Peter, who this summer graduated from the prestigious college as a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with distinction, will host 'Some Enchanted Evening' at St Alkmunds on September 20.

Hosting the concert, which is raising money for a bigger concert in December, is part of Peter's bid to break down the barriers of opera and to erase misconceptions.

"I know how much people do and don't like classical music, people do think its elitist, but it's very accessible," said Peter.

"The concert on the 20th is a musical theatre and an opera, people will really enjoy it. There will be songs that people know.

"The stereotype is that classical music is not really approachable. One of my main aims is to make it not so elitist. I'm just trying to keep it alive.

"We're raising funds for a bigger concert as they cost a lot to put on.

"But another reason is that the church has been good to me and my family for a number of years."

For the concert, Peter is teaming up with Shocklach based composer Martin Bussey.

Martin is currently in the process of writing an opera for Peter, called a Timeless Figure, highlighting the historic Joyce Clocks company.

"Martin Bussey in Shocklach has written a piece all about Joyce's Clocks called Timeless Figures," added Peter. "It's all about places where the company's clocks can be found.

"It's showing off Martin's music and it's going to be really good."

Peter's profession has taken him to all corners of the UK and beyond, but he's focused on keeping himself grounded.

"I recently performed at Edinburgh Festival, that was fun. And I was in Cornwall last week and next week I'll be performing on the Isle of Mann.

"I have auditions coming up that might lead to jobs abroad, but I don't want to be a superstar.

"I don't want to go on the voice or anything like that, I just want to make a career out of something I enjoy."

The job of an opera singer is more and more becoming an acting role as well as singing, as Peter explains.

"It's very varied, but that's what I love about my job. In July I was a Tudor courtier one day, the next morning I was a cynical old man and the next day I am a Trojan prince," said Peter.

"In one single week you can do all that. Some shows we do are completely mental.

"For one show you usually have four weeks of solid rehearsals, 9am to 6pm days. It's quite brutal, but you're with a good group of people.

"I also do a bit of teaching and teach online. On a usual Saturday I will start out in Bangalore, to Oxford then to Hungary, to Switzerland and finally back to London.

"You meet so many people in this profession. I loved it when I finished school, going to uni and being surrounded with like-minded individuals."

Being an opera singer can be challenging though, whether that be because of dealing with the freelance nature, or overusing your voice.

"It's a really exciting career, but it's financially uncertain being freelance. You can't rush it either, your voice has to grow or you can end up knackering it doing too much too soon."

But bringing opera to Whitchurch is something Peter is especially passionate about.

"It's important to keep local roots," said Peter. "I want to bring high quality concerts to Whitchurch, it's always nice to bring something back.

"I don't make money of these local concerts, it's purely for the love of it.

"You have to stick to your foundations, but also it's a little way of saying thanks. I travel around a lot, but it's good to bring it home.

"I would like to recreate the Edward German festival, but at the moment it's just about bringing music I love to the local community.

"A lot of people in Whitchurch might not be able to travel far, so lets bring it to them.

"I live in London, but I love coming back home."

Some Enchanted Evening will take place at St Alkmund's Church in whitchurch on Friday, September 20 at 5pm to 6.30pm.

Tickets are free, however donations are encouraged to raise funds for Handel's Messiah, which will take place on Friday, December 13.