SOME of the world’s greatest musicians will come to the Herefordshire countryside for a festival of unmissable concerts and masterclasses.

Hellensmusic Festival takes place at the ancient and beautiful Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury, from Friday to Monday, May 2-5, with the much celebrated and acclaimed pianist Christian Blackshaw starring on the bill and taking on the role of musical director.

Festival director Adam Munthe said: “Christian has really honoured us by accepting the role of the festival’s musical director. After a period of solitude Christian has reappeared on the international scene, playing in Russia, Japan and in Europe with the greatest conductors and orchestras.

"He’ll be performing a solo recital on Friday evening with works by Mozart, Brahms and Schubert.’’

On the Saturday evening, Christian will be joined by Máté Sz?cs, principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic, international prize winner Oleg Kogan and concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestre, Markus Däunert.

They will perform a programme including Brahms and Mozart’s famous piano quartets.

On Sunday, a trio of gifted young singers - Rachel Kelly, Elinor Rolfe Johnson and Frederick Long - from the UK’s opera scene will perform a magical selection of arias and lieder

Pre-concert suppers will be held on Friday and Saturday and Hellens’ bar and tearoom will also be open during the festival.

Music students and school children aged 15 to 18 can be directed and coached by the festival's professional musicians before performing a final concert on the Monday.

Tickets range from £5 to £16.

For more information and tickets, go to hellensmusic.com or orpheus-events.com.