Winchester Chamber Music Festival is returning later this year and will feature musicians from across Europe.

It will be held from April 28-May 1 and tickets are available now.

The festival will be based at St Paul’s Church in Fulflood and the artists are looking forward to performing the Gala Concert for the first time in the Chapel of St Cross.

The opening concert will kick off with the first appearance of the ‘Festival String Quartet’ playing Beethoven Op. 59 No 3. Huw Watkins will be the first composer-in-residence, not only showcasing his exquisite compositions and fine piano playing but also presenting two premiere performances. 

At Friday’s Late Night Concert, tenor James Gilchrist will perform Schubert’s Die Winterreise.

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The weekend programme offers a wide range of repertoire ranging from Beethoven and Mendelssohn right through to the present day with two world premieres.

Artistic director and cellist Kate Gould recently moved back to Winchester after leaving 30 years ago. 

Kate said: “I have a busy international performing career but my ties with Winchester have always remained very strong with my parents and close family still living here and many good friends. I have very happy memories of being brought up in such a beautiful and friendly town and had always wished the same for my two boys, age nine and 12, and feared for them having to catch public buses across London to school. 

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“I was born in Winchester and went to St Bede Primary, Westgate Secondary and Peter Symonds College. They were all extremely encouraging and supportive of my musical path. I’ve always thanked the headteacher of St Bede, Mr Reid, for encouraging me to start early as they were short of cellos in the school orchestra and my two older sisters had shown talent on the violin.

“It is a real bonus to the move back that I also run a long-standing festival here and I feel even more passionate about reaching the entire community now that the audience are my neighbours and friends. I can’t wait to welcome our youngest audience to the Family Concert at the Nutshell on Saturday April 29 and to work with local children from Western Primary in our schools workshops, resulting in a special performance as part of the festival in St Paul’s Church.”

Bookings for all events can be made via winchesterchambermusic.com and in person and by phone at the Theatre Royal Box Office.