MERLIN Music has launched its 38th concert season brochure, which once again offers international performers at affordable prices and with the added convenience of a local setting. Concerts are held in the hall of Monmouth School.

The new concert list offers a wide range of music and styles, linked by an insistence on the quality on which Merlin has built its formidable reputation.

The opening performance is from the acclaimed English Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William Boughton, on October 4. October 19 brings the Wiener Mozart trio from their Austrian home base. November 3 will see the major talent of young Spanish pianist Alba Ventura, include Granados in her recital, while December 4 sees one of the world's top vocal groups, Cantabile, bring their outstanding mixture of harmony and comedy to Monmouth for a programme of Christmas music.

Into 2001 and Mary Nelson, soprano, promises to entrance her audience on January 19 with songs by Schumann and Poulenc, Purcell, Debussy and Walton.

The Sorrel String Quartet will show the richness of their tone with Haydn, Shostakovitch and Mendelssohn on March 2, while on May 2 one of the best known of brass ensembles, The Wallace Collection, led by the trumpeter who played for the wedding of the Prince of Wales, will ensure the season ends on ringing notes.

Perhaps the newest departure, and a real first for Merlin, is the February 8 visit of Garden Opera. This excellent company, with piano sextet, will stage the great opera 'L'Elisir d'amore' from which come the much loved aria 'Una furtiva lacrima' so often heard from the Three Tenors. With one seat for the opera elsewhere often costing as much as a whole season ticket at Merlin this has to be the bargain of the year!

Brochures giving full details are available at numerous points in Monmouth, including the tourist information centre, Stephens Bookshop (which also sells tickets), the library, Music Box and more, or a copy can be posted to you by Christine Fergusson, telephone 01600 772747. Season tickets are limited and are usually sold out soon after the launch, so speed is recommended.