A CHAMBER ensemble from the Royal Northern Sinfonia is a feature of the new Richmondshire Concerts season following the success of a first visit by the full orchestra earlier.

The highlight of the 70th anniversary season last October drew the largest audience for a Richmond concert in recent years and sent the orchestra home delighted to have found a new venue and eager to return.

The 71st season, which starts next month, includes a concert by the Royal Northern Sinfonia wind octet, and another big name – pianist Joanna MacGregor – who will play on a top quality Steinway concert grand specially hired for the occasion.

The six-concert series of performances by professional classical musicians begins on September 29 when the Chiaroscuro Quartet, led by violinist Alina Ibragimova, performs works by Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart.

Joanna MacGregor follows on Saturday, October 13. She will play Beethoven's 32 Variations, a work which explores the range and colour of the piano and every technique.

Other works in her programme include Chopin Mazurkas, Black Earth by Fazil Say, written in 1997, which fuses Eastern and Western styles, and Beethoven's Appassionata sonata.

November brings the Engegard Quartet from Oslo, playing works by Haydn, Bartok, Svendsen and Norwegian folk songs.

Royal Northern Sinfonia wind musicians perform in Richmond on Saturday, January 12, offering a programme of works by Mozart, Stephen Oliver and Jonathan Dove, in what is sure to be a popular event.

The March audience will welcome Trio Goya, whose players perform on period instruments including a fortepiano modelled on one built in Vienna in 1795.

The season ends in April with the Divertimenti quintet, an ensemble of experienced soloists, orchestral principals and chamber music players.

Society chairman Nick Reckert said: "We saw record audiences last year in our 70th season, and this year's looking at least as good.

"We're lucky to have the best classical music venue in the area and to get so many regular visitors from all over North Yorkshire and the North-East."

Concerts take place in the Influence Church, Victoria Road, Richmond, at 7.30pm. For full programme details visit rsconcerts.org. Season tickets (£45 for six concerts) and single tickets may be bought online or at Castle Hill Bookshop in Richmond.