Schrott, the Uruguayan singer who has performed at major opera houses, will be singing about love with the Argentinian soprano Livieri. Solo performances as well as duets are planned.

The pair will be accompanied by the Slovenian and Croatian philharmonics, conducted by Italian Francesco Ivan Ciampa.

Schrott started appearing at big opera stages after winning the 1998 Placido Domingo Operalia singing contest. Recently he has become one of the most acclaimed signers of the role of don Giovanni and is considered to be one of the best interprets of Mozart's Leporello and Figaro.

The highlights of this year's Ljubljana Festival include the performances of Russian pianist Denis Matsuev, Argentinian tenor Jose Cure and Italian tenor Walter Fraccaro.

Also expected in Ljubljana are the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra from Amsterdam.

The China National Opera and the La MaMa theatre from New York will also present themselves.

The opening concerts is expected to be held in Congress Square but in case of rain it will be moved to the Cankrajev dom arts centre.