ACTOR Jeremy Irons has been announced as one of the artists in residence at this year's Ryedale Festival.

Irons, who currently features in the film Batman v Superman, will return to Castle Howard, where he starred in the series Brideshead Revisited, to appear alongside the Heath Quartet in four concerts.

Organisers of the annual event, which takes place in July, have also announced a new long-term partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE).

The orchestra joins as Festival Partner, alongside existing partner Royal Northern Sinfonia. Musicians from the OAE’s Experience scheme will accompany a cast of young singers in two performances of Handel’s opera Alcina.

Crispin Woodhead, managing director of OAE, said: "This year’s production of Handel’s Alcina gives the talented musicians in our Experience scheme a great opportunity and we are already planning more exciting performances for future years with the Ryedale Festival.”

The Ryedale Festival’s 2016 season boasts artists in residence including composer James MacMillan alongside Jeremy Irons.

Jeremy will be performing alongside the Heath Quartet in four concerts that pair Beethoven’s late String Quartets with T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets.

The concerts take place on July19, 20, 21 and 23 July at various venues across Ryedale.

Christopher Glynn, artistic director of the Ryedale Festival, said: "The festival exists to bring the highest quality music and arts to the people of North Yorkshire, and with the artists and musicians on offer in 2016 we are proud to be doing just that.”

Tickets go on general sale on Monday, May 9.

For more information contact the Ryedale Festival Box Office on 01751-475777 or go to www.ryedalefestival.com.