PENARTH Chamber Music Festival returns to Penarth Pier Pavilion for a fourth year this July.

Combining excellent acoustics, incredibly musicians and a truly intimate audience experience, it gives audiences the opportunity to hear beautiful chamber music in an unusual setting, the festival returns from Thursday, July 13 until Sunday, July 16.

Against a backdrop of stunning seascapes, the festival offers intimate performances of some the best chamber music south Wales has on offer.

Directed by Welsh National Opera’s David Adams, the programme for 2017’s festival promises to continue its reputation for being increasingly innovative and ambitious. This year’s festival is no different promising beautiful performances from musicians including the Gould Piano Trio, Elias String Quartet and special guest soprano Rebecca Evans.

The Festival opens on July 13with a concert of Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert with the Gould Piano Trio and leader of the Welsh National Opera Orchestra David Adams. The four musicians perform again as part of the late concert at 10pm that night where audiences will be treated to the Welsh premier of Mark Simpson’s Piano Trio “After Avedon”.

The second evening features a festival first – a trip away from the festival home venue Penarth Pier Pavilion to All Saints Church Penarth. That evening we will see a performance from the Elias String Quartet and violinist Alice Neary. The festival’s evening concerts continue at All Saints on Saturday where the Elias String Quartet are joined by David Adams, Alice Neary, Lucy Gould, Louise Williams and Andre Swanepoel for a beautiful evening of performances of Strauss, Mozart and Mendelssohn.

Saturday at the Pavilion will see pupils of Victoria Primary School have a chance to perform alongside the festival musicians as well as WNO Timpanist Patrick King in a family interactive concert “Patrick Puzzle and the Amazing Musical Musician”. The festival will see the support of young musicians throughout the weekend as we are once again holding a ‘Young Musicians Showcase’, featuring some of the brightest young talent from local schools as well as Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Penarth Chamber Music Festival is based on the principle of providing access to Chamber Music to all and following the success of last year the Pavilion will be hosting its second supportive environment concert for people with disabilities and additional needs. This collection of festival classics will see a relaxed performance allowing people to enjoy the concert without the pressures of staying quiet or remaining in seats.

The closing day of the festival promises to be a fantastic day of music; starting with a brunch concert featuring Gould Piano Trio and Elias String Quartet and finishing with a Schubertiade. This celebration on Schubert’s music will feature numerous musicians as well as special guest and president of Penarth Arts and Crafts, soprano Rebecca Evans.

Tickets for the festival will be priced between £5 and £15 with free tickets available for anyone aged eight to 25 thanks to the support of CAVATINA Chamber Music Trust. The Pavilion also offers a multi-ticket discount of 10 per cent for anyone booking three concerts or more in the festival.

Further details of the series of concerts can be obtained from www.penarthpavilion.co.uk or by telephoning 029 2071 2100.