THE Hellens Music Festival returns to Herefordshire next month with its biggest programme to date

Artistic Directors Christian Blackshaw and Máté Szücs will lead a group of internationally acclaimed musicians in fifth year of the festival, "which brings the finest music-making to the heart of rural Herefordshire".

A spokesman said: "Firmly established as one of the main musical calendar events in Herefordshire, Hellens Music kicks off on Wednesday May 3 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Much Marcle with a special opening concert featuring the freshly crowned Barnardo’s National Senior School Choir of the Year’ Cantabile Girls’ Choir from Hereford’s Cathedral School.

"Reflecting the festival’s growing involvement with the local music community, they will sing a selection of madrigals, sacred partsongs and traditional folk songs from Europe and the British Isles, under the direction of Jo Williamson."

The spokesman added: "Thursday May 4 sees the return of Christian Blackshaw’s solo piano recital at the church with a programme of Mozart and Schumann; and Friday May 5 continues at Hellens with an evening dedicated to Schubert’s chamber music, performed by resident artists Markus Däunert (Aldeburgh Strings), Maya Iwabuchi (Royal Scottish National Orchestra), Máté Szu?cs (Berlin Philharmonic), Bruno Delepelaire (Berlin Philharmonic) and Waldemar Schwiertz (Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra)."

A concert featuring works by Schumann, Gubaidulina and Mozart will complete the main programme on Saturday May 6, with all artists performing at Hellens’ Great Barn.

The Saturday evening continues in Ledbury with Hellens Music’s first ever pub concert "promising a dazzling blend of folk, classical and world music".

The spokesman added: "Máté Szu?cs is joined by gypsy violinist Béla Farkas (Szeged Symphony Orchestra) and acclaimed pianist Julien Quentin on a journey of unexpected pairings and unforgettable tunes that will take over the Feathers Hotel’s pub from 9.45pm.

Tickets and further details on 01432 340555.