FOR its most attractive opening concert on Saturday, July 15, Madley is guaranteed an excellent polished performance from the Gala Orchestra of London conducted by Charles Farncombe, the festival president.

In Mozart's Concerto for Harp and Flute the soloists will be Skaila Kanga, the distinguished harpist, who has accompanied performers ranging from Paul McCartney to Kiri Te Kanawa, and Edward Beckett, principal flute with many London orchestras.

Rolf Wilson, leader in nationally-known orchestras, joins Skaila Kanga as violin soloist in the Saint-Saens Fantasie for Violin and Harp. Haydn's Farewell Symphony with candlelight provides a romantic ending to the evening.

Gipsy ensemble in costume

On Tuesday, July 18, the concert is given by the Aurora Ensemble, a young talented wind quintet formed by former students of the Royal College and Guildhall Schools of Music. At Madley their concert includes pieces by Berkley, Milhaud, Marais and Martinu.

The Boros Gypsy Ensemble in full costume will make everyone sit up and take notice on Thursday, July 20, with their lively programme 'The Austro-Hungarian Journey down the Danube'. This includes well-liked excerpts from Viennese operettas and pieces by Liszt and Kreisler as well as authentic gipsy music.

On Friday, July 21, the Schubert Ensemble, Britain's leading chamber group for piano and strings, plays piano trios by Mozart, Korngold and Schubert. Simon Blendis (violin), Jane Salmon (cello) and William Howard (piano) are known internationally for the excellence of their playing. The ensemble is equally well known in Britain through its regular broadcasts and is a recent winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Award for the best Chamber Ensemble.

The Orchestra of the Swan, conducted by David Curtis of the Coull Quartet, makes a most welcome return to Madley for the final concert on Saturday, July 22. The accomplished musicians play with enjoyment and enthusiasm. The major work in their programme is Beethoven's magnificent Piano Concerto in E flat, the Emperor.

The soloist, James Lisney, is much in demand with leading British and European orchestras. Rossini's The Italian Girl in Algiers and Mendelssohn's Symphony No.4, the Italian Symphony, complete a very tuneful programme.

Traditional service

The festival ends on Sunday, July 23, with a short recital by finalists of the BBC Hereford and Worcester Young Musician of 2000 competition, followed by the traditional Festival Service with music sung by Madley Festival Choir. No tickets are needed and everyone is welcome.

Madley's large, beautiful 13th century church, with excellent acoustics, is a wonderful venue for the concerts. The atmosphere is friendly and informal. In addition there is free car parking near the church, disabled parking in the churchyard and easy access for wheelchairs. Evening meals and bar snacks are available at the local inn and the glebe meadow makes a good picnic site.

For a free brochure or further information contact Maureen Hind on 01981 250309 or Lina Coates on 01568 797059.