Cumbrian talent will take centre stage at this year's Lake District Summer Music Festival, featuring acclaimed contralto Jess Dandy and eminent pianist Martin Roscoe.
The festival, which runs from July 26 to August 4, will see both artists perform in a range of intimate and grand settings, showcasing their formidable musical expertise.
Jess Dandy, originating from Barrow, is slated to perform at the Sunrise to Sunset concert at Hawkshead Parish Church on July 30.
In addition, she will also be on the stage in the finale concert at Kendal Leisure Centre on August 4.
Known as the foremost British contralto of her generation, she has a successful track record, having collaborated with several renowned orchestras worldwide.
Some of them include the Bergen Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony and the Tampere Philharmonic and she also appears regularly at the BBC Proms.
Her performances often present a sense of grandiosity, a feat she will indubitably replicate at Hawkshead Parish Church with her rendition of Respighi’s tragic and haunting adaptation of Shelley’s poem, The Sunset.
Martin Roscoe, based in Ulverston, will perform Hommage à Gabriel Fauré at Kendal Town Hall on August 3.
With his career spanning more than five decades, he has performed or recorded over 100 concertos and enjoys an impressive presence on BBC Radio 3.
At this year's festival, he will join forces with award-winning violinist, Fenella Humphreys, to celebrate the centenary of Fauré’s birth with an all-French repertoire, including works by his close friends Saint-Saëns and Lili Boulanger, along with pieces by Ravel.
Although Ms Dandy and Mr Roscoe have previously collaborated, for the festival, the former will be accompanied by the Alkyona String Quartet and Northern Chamber Orchestra, and the latter will be performing alongside Fenella Humphreys.
The festival is also a stage for future musicians, meriting a return from the Heath String Quartet, forged from its summer school.
Cellist Chris Murray said: "Many of our most formative musical experiences happened at the Lake District Summer Music Festival and it feels very special to be returning again after nearly 20 years."
The quartet will perform pieces by Haydn, Lyadov, Ravel and Tippett at Ambleside Parish Church on August 2.
The festival's artistic director, Stephen Threlfall, said:
"With our hallmarks of highest quality concerts given by an array of outstanding and emerging artists, our resident ‘next generation’ student ensembles programme and a range of participatory events, the festival once again is endeavouring to work in collaboration with numerous organisations, venues and societies across the region
"This is something I firmly believe in and continues to be part of my vision for developing Lake District Music as a key, collaborative organisation."
Tickets for the festival range from £18 to £30 and can be purchased from the festival's website or via the box office at 01539 266200.
The festival will celebrate musicians from the area and hail upcoming talents in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District.
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