AN ANNUAL brass festival is to host a string of classical concerts across four days, organisers have announced.

For the first time since it was founded in 2007, the Durham Brass will include a classical strand, with five concerts ranging from the haunting Monteverdi’s Vespers in the stunning surroundings of Durham Cathedral to a show in the more intimate setting of St Brandon’s Church, in Brancepeth.

The series starts on Thursday, July 16 when the Dunedin Consort, under the direction of John Butt, performs Monteverdi’s Vespers, one of the most spectacular choral works of all time originally written for St Marks in Venice.

On Friday, July 17 in the historic surroundings of Durham Town Hall, one of Scotland’s leading contemporary music ensembles Red Note performs Sounding Brass, an evening of established classics and new compositions spanning 500 years.

Renaissance and baroque music specialists His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts will stage two performances, Grand Tour and Buccaneers.

Grand Tour at Durham Cathedral on Friday, July 17 is a musical retelling of a 17th Century English gentleman’s journey through Germany and Spain to Venice, while Buccaneers on Sunday, July 19 at St Brandon’s Church features music originally written for viols, keyboards and voices.

Robin Byers, from festival organisers Durham County Council, said: “This year we are adding a stunning line-up of classical music to the festival from the noble sounds of His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts, and the contemporary sounds of Scotland’s great ensemble Red Note, to the truly haunting Monteverdi’s Vespers in Durham’s majestic cathedral.

“There’s lots to explore and discover at this year’s festival in what will be a packed four days and still more to announce in the coming weeks.”

Tickets for these events, priced from £8 to £35, are now on sale through www.brassfestival.co.uk or by calling the box office on 03000-266-600.