FIVE nights of classical performances will take place at St Mary's Church, Priory Street, throughout the Monmouth Music Festival.

A broad church of performers will appeal to a variety of tastes and there should be something for all ears this year. As ever, all festival events are free, so why not come along show your support and enjoy listening to some fantastic, timeless music.

The opening night on the 24th of July sees the appearance of the Monmouth Ensemble. Directed by Chris Petrie, this is a group of professional musicians alongside students of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Come and hear a selection of music inspired by the Parisian Belle Époque.

The up and coming Cardiff based Scott Quartet entertain on the 25th to delight us with Dvorak's popular String Quartet No12, aka "The American Quartet".

The multi-award winning Welsh Harpist, Gwenllian Llyr, joins proceedings on Wednesday 29th of July with the skilful playing that has accompanied such luminaries as Rebecca Evans, Al Jarreau and Bryn Terfel.

Works by Elgar and Malcolm Arnold, as well as some less familiar works, will feature on Thursday 30th July when Hilary French joins with Mathew Petrie to play a wide variety of solo repertoire accompanied on the piano by Hilary Petrie.

This year's church finale will see the Pontypridd Male Voice Choir assemble on Friday 31st to what is sure to be a capacity audience. With almost 70 years of history and having won the HTV Male Choral Competition this is a choir not to be missed.

Cerys Watts, festival secretary said: "It's very easy to forget what else is going on when caught up with the activities on the main stage, but we have fringe events across the town, a secondary stage at the Three Horseshoes and also this wonderful venue at St Mary's where we consistently put on a fantastic programme of classical music. Who cannot be moved by the sound of a stirring Welsh Male Voice Choir? I'm really looking forward to the response to the church programme."