OPERA star Sir Thomas Allen will perform at the climax of a first-of-its-kind student arts festival.

The Seaham Harbour-born baritone, who is also Chancellor of Durham University, will appear with the university’s Orchestral Society in a concert marking the ensemble’s 50th anniversary at the final event of the inaugural Durham Festival of the Arts.

The special concert will take place in Durham Cathedral on Monday, June 15 and feature the world premiere of John Casken’s The Trackway of Time, Beethoven’s 8th Symphony, Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No.2 and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No.2.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced £15-20, or £10-17 for concessions.

The festival, which runs from May 30 to June 15, will also feature photography exhibitions, music concerts, comedy and live theatre.

Venues include the Durham Students’ Union, the Assembly Rooms, Durham Castle, St Oswald’s Church and the Botanic Garden.

Festival chair Daniel Gosselin said: “The festival showcases Durham’s incredible array of talent across the arts and across the city.

“Durham Student Theatre (DST) is excited to present a varied programme of theatre as part of the festival, showcasing all the incredible talent DST has to offer, from student writing to full scale musicals and everything in between.

“No matter your interests I’m confident there will be something to enjoy and maybe even something new to sample.”

The festival opens with A Night at the Movies at Durham Cathedral on Saturday, May 30 featuring the University Symphony Orchestra, Palatinate Orchestra, Chamber Choir and others. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £15-20, or £10-17 for concessions.

For full listings and to book tickets for festival events, visit community.dur.ac.uk/arts.fest