ROYAL Northern Sinfonia is heading on tour to enjoy warm and cosy festive nights by candlelight in the North’s most beautiful churches.

As part of the Christmas at The Glasshouse series, the Sinfonia is stopping in Durham for the first time ever on this tour on Monday, December 4, at Durham Cathedral, alongside Sunderland, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hexham, Darlington and Alnwick. All concerts are held at 7.30pm during the first week of December, in scenic settings such as Berwick Parish Church, Hexham Abbey, and Darlington's St Cuthbert's Church.

Directed by leader Maria Włoszczowska and co-leader Kyra Humphreys, the wonderful musicians of Royal Northern Sinfonia will share a programme of the most marvellous and atmospheric melodies to make music lovers feel warm from thei nside out.

The audience can enjoy 17th century masters JS Bach (Concerton for Oboe and Violin) and Telemann (Concerto for Four Violins in D major), alongside ground-breaking modern composers Huw Watkins (Three Welsh Songs) and Eric Whitacre (Sleep) in the glow of candlelight, plus other composers.

The festive celebration also rolls into Musselburgh, Ripon, Selby, Kendal and Carlisle, taking in more venues than ever before.

Running alongside Royal Northern Sinfonia’s performances is their Chorus’ A Choral Nativity, appearing in Hexham, Newcastle and Hartlepool with a unique re-telling of the Christmas story to mark their 50th birthday.

The performance at Durham is on Monday, December 4, at Durham Cathedral (DH1 3EH) at 7.30pm (tickets cost from £5 to £18); and at Darlington on Thursday, December 7, at St Cuthbert's Church (DL1 5QG) at 7.30pm; tickets cost from £5 to £18.

Tickets and listings for the Royal Northern Sinfonia by Candlelight tour are available on The Glasshouse’s website at www.theglasshouseicm.org/whats-on/by-candlelight.