Two of Switzerland's annual open air opera festivals have been victims of wet summer weather - but both the shows went ahead with only minor programme changes.

Organisers of the 10th Classic Openair in Solothurn were able to keep to their schedule by moving the festival from outside the St Ours cathedral to a nearby auditorium. Four operas were performed there as well as recitals of baroque music by the British soprano, Ann Murray.

At Avenches, rain forced the cancellation of two performances of Verdi's "Aida" in the town's Roman amphitheatre. Despite the weather the opera drew a wider audience than the first Avenches festival in 1995 - thanks to a live Internet transmission of the première.

"We estimate that well over 1,000 people logged on to our website during the performance," said festival co-ordinator Michel Doleires.

For next year's festivals, both Avenches and Solothurn are planning Verdi operas to mark the 100th anniversary of the composer's death.

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