ONE of the area's most prestigious music events is set for a full, post Covid-19 return this month as it shows off the best in classical and jazz.

The Whittington Music Festival will host seven concerts over four days, from Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22, and will also return to the village following an end to social distancing.

With three full evening concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there will be an innovative programme of early evening ‘taster’ concerts on Thursday and Friday and an early concert for families on Saturday.

In its 10th year, a spokesman for the Festival said they will be looking forward to putting on their 'most exciting programme yet'.

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He added: "We are returning to the splendid atmosphere of Whittington Church with fine acoustics and artists and audience clearly able to see each other.

“Our Festival in this borderland setting has the most appropriate theme of ‘Transcending Borders’ with the selected programme highlighting connections and dialogue across divisions, whether of geography, genre or tribe.

“To celebrate the return to a full Festival we have no less than thirteen artists with international reputations – across borders, you might say – joined by Kizzy Lumley-Edwards who herself lives in Whittington.

“We are delighted that the celebrated tenor Mark Padmore will sing two song cycles – Schubert’s Schwanengesang (Swan Song) on Friday and at the Sunday afternoon concert, Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge.

“We welcome the return of Jeremy Sams as our composer-in-residence. His trio for alto flute, piccolo and cello received an acclaimed first performance at last year’s Festival.

"On the Saturday six selected young people aged from 12 to 25 will have the unique opportunity of a masterclass with one-to-one tuition from our professional musicians and then will play to an audience in the 5pm family concert.

"There will be free tickets for this concert for children having violin or cello lessons through MusicMOB – the local music education charity – and their parents.

“Young people will also benefit from the Festival’s support from Cavatina Music Trust which will provide free tickets for anyone under 26.

Sophie Rahman, artistic director said: “The festival musicians were deeply grateful for the opportunity to perform for Shropshire audiences, having been denied this vital aspect of their creative life-blood for well over a year."

To book, head to www.whittingtonmusicfestival.org.uk/booking-information or from Oswestry Ticket Office at Rowanthorn, Old Chapel Court, Oswestry.