Opera superstar Bryn Terfel is set to take the lead role in a production of Fiddler on the Roof planned for next summer at the Grange Park country estate in Hampshire.

Mr Terfel, a world-renowned bass-baritone originally from Wales, will play the part of Tevye, the cheerful but poverty-stricken Jewish milkman who must protect his five daughters from assimilation and persecution in early 20th century Russia.

Other parts have not yet been cast, and the director has not yet been named.

The grand neo-classical Grange Park mansion and estate has become a major destination for summer opera-goers since it was founded as an opera venue in 1997. The choice of Fiddler on the Roof is also not a complete break with the past. The estate has played host to a number of other musicals such as Anything Goes in previous seasons.

The estate's beautiful grounds and 550-seat theatre constructed within a conservatory dating back to the 18th century promises to provide an exciting but perhaps unusual location for such Fiddler favourites as If I were a rich man and Matchmaker, Matchmaker.

Dates for the production's run are still to be confirmed.