HIGHLIGHTS of this year’s Ripon International Festival in September will include an evening of opera arias, Schubert lieder, songs from Broadway and American spirituals by South African baritone Njabulo Madlala.

The singer, winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Competition 2010, Royal Overseas League 2012 and Standard Bank 2014 Young Artists Award, gives a concert in the refurbished Holy Trinity church at Ripon on Saturday, September 13.

Ireland’s top award-winning female folk singer and fiddler, Niamh ni Charra, and her musicians, will perform at Helperby Millennium Hall (September 7) and at Pateley Bridge Playhouse (September 8) .

The Hallé at the Royal Hall promises edge-of-seat excitement in a thrilling programme of Verdi’s The Force of Destiny, the much-loved Grieg, Peer Gynt Suites 1 and 2, and Symphony no. 2 by Rachmaninov. Its voluptuous scoring, gorgeous melodies and explosive energy makes it one of Classic FM’s most popular requests (September 14).

The atmospheric surroundings of moated, medieval Markenfield hall is the setting for jewels of the French baroque by Ensemble Fantasticus from Amsterdam (September 19) and in complete contrast, The Coal Porters bring their live act to Ripon in the closing concert on Wednesday, September 24.

  • Booking for the Hallé is through Harrogate theatre on 01423 502116. For a full programme and to book online, go to: riponinternationalfestival.com or call the box office on: 01765 603994 / 01765 605508