THE 23rd annual St. Davids Cathedral Festival will take place this year from May 26 to June 3.
Once again local music lovers and the many visitors to the area can enjoy the unique opportunity of hearing top level international performers as well as the best local music talent all in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's finest and most evocative setting.
The festival was established in 1979 by the then organist and master of choristers at St. Davids, Sir Nicholas Jackson, who established the present pattern of music-making, with evening concerts featuring professional performers and late afternoon recitals featuring the best of West Wales' young music talent.
Among those taking part this year will be violinist Claire Jones, winner of the title of Young Musician of Dyfed 2000, and harpist Carys McMillan, a finalist in this year's Texaco Young Musician of Wales competition.
The festival kicks off on Saturday with distinguished Baroque ensemble Florilegium and the Cathedral Choir joining forces under the baton of the festival's artistic director Geraint Bowen for a performance of works by Bach, Telemann and Vivaldi.
The cathedral's stunning new organ will be heard for the first time in concert on the Sunday when one of the country's best known organists, Christopher Herrick, appears with a wide-ranging programme of works, while the festival organisers are delighted to welcome The King's Singers on Monday night.
Appearing in the festival for the first time, the distinguished vocal ensemble's varied programme includes 17th century English madrigals and their famous arrangements of Irish folk songs.
In another first, the festival stages a lunchtime concert outside the cathedral on Tuesday when Celticana perform at Llanrhian Church.
Organist Dame Gillian Weir makes a welcome return to the festival on Tuesday evening, appearing alongside newly-appointed harpist to the Prince of Wales, Catrin Finch and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
Prior to the concert, Dame Gillian Weir will be talking about her life and career with broadcaster and composer Geraint Lewis in the Deanery at 6 pm. There will be no charge for this event, but as seating is limited, entry will be by ticket only.
Other artists to appear include the Dante Quartet, Irish organist Colm Carey, soprano Emma Kirkby and theorbo-lute virtuoso Anthony Rooley.
The festival concludes on Saturday when the 120-strong festival chorus and orchestra will perform a selection of works by Parry and Vaughan-Williams, before bringing the week to a close with Brahms' Requiem.
During the week there will also be exhibitions to celebrate the rebuilding of the cathedral's 1883 Father Willis organ and a selling exhibition of local crafts by the Pembrokeshire Craftsmen's Circle in St. Mary's Hall.
For further information contact the festival box office on (01437) 721204.