RYEDALE Festival has announced announces major artists from Simon Callow to Sir Mark Elder, in an imaginative programme for its summer season.

Marking 100 years after the Russian Revolution, Simon Callow and the Carducci Quartet are in residence to explore a mysterious relationship between two of the great creative spirits of Soviet Russia, as string quartets by Shostakovich are programmed alongside poetry by Anna Akhmatova over four concerts. Callow also contributes the Festival’s Ways with Words literary series, which also sees an appearance by Lucy Worsley.

World premieres include two works by internationally renowned Sally Beamish, who is composer in residence. Her music features throughout the festival, celebrating influences from folk and jazz, and encompasses performances by the composer herself, along with Catriona Mackay (Scottish harp), Chris Stout (Shetland Fiddle), the Elias Quartet and Huw Wiggin (saxophone).

The festival celebrates the centenary of one of Ryedale’s and the country’s most distinguished musicians – the organist and composer Francis Jackson. At the same time, the Festival also champions the next generation of performers and music-lovers with a series of initiatives such as several Young Artist Platform concerts – including one featuring the world premiere of a new Brass Quintet by Richard Shephard, free festival workshops and the Ryedale500 ticket scheme offering discounted tickets to under 25s.

A new production of Mozart’s The Garden of Disguises (La Finta Giardiniera) features a new translation by John Warrack and will also tour to several other festivals throughout the country. The festival also completes its trilogy of Schubert’s great song cycles and collections in modern English translations by Jeremy Sams with a performance of Swansong (Schwanengesang) performed by Sir John Tomlinson and Christopher Glynn.

Ryedale Festival is also partnering with the Kathleen Ferrier Awards to bring audiences the chance to hear two of the country’s most prestigious award-winning singers perform a varied programme. This year sees recent winners, soprano Gemma Summerfield and baritone Gareth Brynmor John, perform at Helmsley Arts Centre.

Other major artists performing events across the Festival include Steven Osborne, The Tallis Scholars, Chloë Hanslip, Danny Driver, Ll?r Williams, Jack Liebeck, Sophie Bevan and the Choir of York Minster among others.

Later in the year, Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé give a landmark performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in York Minster.

Venues range from the elegance of Scarborough Spa to the splendour of York Minster and also include many of the beautiful, sometimes remote country churches of the area, along with stately homes like Castle Howard, Duncombe Park, Hovingham and Sledmere.

Tickets go on general sale on Monday, May 22. For more information phone the Ryedale Festival Box Office on 01751 475777 or go towww.ryedalefestival.com