POETS, actors and world-class musicians have been named in the line-up for this year's Ripon International Festival.

With performances including a Beethoven symphony, African drum music and puppetry displays, the event offers something for all tastes.

Performances will take place between September 6 and 20.

Ripon Cathedral will be the setting for a celebration of Northern musical talent, with performances including the Orchestra of Opera North, Northern Sinfonia, and the Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and Manchester Camerata.

These performances will be conducted by the artistic director and co-founder of the testival, Janusz, who will open the festival with Brahms' Symphony No 1 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 6.

A very different atmosphere can be found at the Black Sheep, a converted brewery in Masham, where guitarist Eleftheria Kotzia will be teaming up with classical soprano Patricia Rozario to present a blend of Greek and Latin duets.

Other performances include a South African dance and drum show, and a drama based on Lord Byron, which will be staged in a mediaeval manor house, complete with moat.

Hungarian cellist Miklos Perenyi will give a candlelit solo recital of Bach suites at St Mary's Church, Masham.

The festival, sponsored by The Darlington and Stockton Times, has been extended to three weekends this year because of popular demand.

For brochures, bookings and further information, contact Susan Goldsbrough on (01765) 605508, or visit www.riponinternationalfestival.com