Chester Performs has announced the programme for the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival.

Fourteen concerts over 11 days will be performed in the splendid settings of Chester Town Hall and Chester Cathedral, between June 3 and 13.

This is the third time the city-based arts organisation will produce the festival which welcomes back musicians who perform with some of the world’s leading orchestras.

Chester Town Hall will once again be a major venue for the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival
Chester Town Hall will once again be a major venue for the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival

The festival opens with a concert led from the piano by Gwilym Simcock, who performed to a sell-out audience last year.

He will perform Milhaud’s La Creation du Monde in Chester Town Hall on June 3. Accompanying him is saxophonist Rob Buckland and violinist Thomas Gould, the newest member of Ensemble Deva.

Ensemble Deva returns for a third consecutive year, once again forming the back bone of the festival’s programme. Giovanni Guzzo will lead the music group following his thrilling performances in 2013 and 2012.

A cello quintet is set for the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival with Giovanni Guzzo
A cello quintet is set for the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival with Giovanni Guzzo

On Tuesday, June 9 they will perform Debussy’s Prelude a L’apres Midi, Berg’s Hier ist Friede, Mahler’s Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen as well as Schoenberg’s Four Canon’s for strings and Verklarte Nacht.

Eight members of the ensemble come together again on Thursday, June 11, to perform Handel’s In the Lord I Put My Trust, Purcell’s Sonata no 9 (In F major) Albinio’s Obode Concerto in D minor, among others.

Andrew Bentley, chief executive of Chester Performs, said: “We are delighted with this year’s programme. Chester will host some of the world’s most prestigious musicians, and as always the town hall and cathedral will create a stunning backdrop to what’s set to be some truly remarkable concerts. We hope that Chester comes out and experiences the festival.’

The festival will continue to partner with Manchester’s Camerata orchestra, with two concerts programmed on June 4 and 8 in the cathedral.

Distinguished pianist Martin Roscoe returns to the festival for a third year with a performance on Monday, June 8 while Chester born violinist Sophie Rose will perform on June 4.

A cello quintet will feature Sophie Rosa during the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival
A cello quintet will feature Sophie Rosa during the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival

Monday, June 8 sees a festival first with American composer Steve Reich’s Double Sextet performed by Lynsey Marsh (clarinet), Helen Wilson (flute), and a string quartet led by Sophie Rosa.

Celebrated jazz singer Lianne Carroll will perform with Gwilym Simcock on Sunday, June 7.

A cello quintet is set for Friday, June 12, as Giovanni Guzzo is joined by Sophie Rosa, Richard Williamson (viola) and Hannah Roberts and Mikhail Nemstov (cello).

The return of Gran Caffe Venezia will be among the highlights of the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival
The return of Gran Caffe Venezia will be among the highlights of the 2015 MBNA Chester Music Festival

Finally the festival draws to a vigorous close on Saturday, June 13 with the return of Gran Caffe Venezia. An evening of improvised tango and jazz performed by Thomas Gould, Ksenija Sidorova, Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkus.

For full programme details and to buy tickets visit www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk call 0845 241 7868.