RIPON International Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary with an adventurous programme of symphony concerts, brass, folk, jazz, chamber concerts, candlelit recitals, puppetry and authors next month staged in a range of venues in North Yorkshire.

Artistic director Janusz Piotrowicz will bring Slavic passion and acute sensitivity to a programme of great Russian Classics with the Orchestra of Opera North in the opening concert on September 2.

Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Romeo and Juliet Fantasy and the dazzling Polovtsian Dances by Borodin precede the powerful Fifth Symphony of Shostakovich which contains passages of haunting sadness, richly orchestrated with woodwind, harp and celeste, contrasting with the raging emotional tempest of the opening and the wild excitement of the finale (Royal Hall, booking 01423 502116).

For guitar aficionados, BBC New Generation Artist, Sean Shibe, described as “a young guitarist with angels at his fingertips” plays pieces by South America’s most famous composer, Heitor Villa - Lobos, at the Church of St Felix, near Thirsk (September 12).

Baroque music lovers should head for the acclaimed Ensemble Fantasticus from Amsterdam at mediaeval Markenfield Hall (September 14). Brass band enthusiasts are in for a treat when the famous Brighouse & Rastrick Band appears at Ripon Cathedral (September 15) and Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers bring their high octane show to Holy Trinity Church (September 21).

An all-star line-up of five international musicians called ZRI, which stands for Zum Roten Igel (the Red Hedgehog Tavern), bring their sizzling Schubert & The Gypsy programme to the beautifully refurbished Sharow Church (September 16).

Royal Northern Sinfonia returns to Ripon Cathedral on Friday, September 22, in a programme featuring J S Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos 3 and 4, and the famous Suite no 2 in B minor with virtuoso flautist, Adam Walker.

The concert ends with Beethoven’s much-loved Pastoral Symphony, which will be given a vivid performance under the baton of Janusz Piotrowicz.

As in previous years, the festival offers a late date show for families on October 7, when the International Purves Puppets Black Light Theatre Company presents The Firebird.

Based on the Russian folk tale, with music by Stravinsky, this ultraviolet spectacular is a must for children from five years up and adults who are young at heart.

For the full programme and to book online go to riponinternationalfestival for the or call the box office on 01765 605508 and 01423 502116 (Harrogate Theatre).