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(WNO) is unveiling a three year, £120,000 arts project for north Wales.

The Max Project is "the first time WNO has offered up such a focused plan of activity in North Wales," according to Rhian Hutchings, director of the project, who was speaking to the .

"Everyone from primary school children to regulars at the local community centre will be involved. There will be singing days, recitals and the chance to join a community choir that will take part in the world première of Gair Ar Gnawd, a new work."

The project will be based in Wrexham, which is celebrating a year of culture in 2011, and will feature a new opera inspired by Bishop William Morgan, the Welsh Bible translator, an opera pops concert, brass concerts and recitals by WNO musicians.

"Opera is a great vehicle for telling stories to a new audience, drawing on experiences that help shape their lives," says Hutchings. "We're interested in hearing those stories told in both Welsh and English, so Gair A Gnawd will put centre stage a key event in Welsh history that still resonates today."