The programme at the Tabernacle Arts Centre festival venue on Monday from 7.30pm has been cleverly put together by Catrin and among the delights will be a song cycle by John Metcalf, specially written for Jeremy Huw Williams.

With concerts and events at The Tabernacle until August 24, the festival opens at 7.30pm this Sunday, August 17, with the traditional Cymanfa Ganu featuring baritone soloist Meilyr Wyn Jones, 23, who farms with his parents near Aberhosan, with the Wesleyan Singers, a mixed choir from Llanidloes, conducted by Tecwyn Jones.

Tuesday evening's concert will be something of a surprise with wonderful singers mezzo soprano Sian Meinir, soprano Diana Palmerston, tenor Aled Wyn Davies and baritone Tom Gwanas Evans with pianist Eirian Owen, performing songs old and new, familiar and unfamiliar, funny and serious.

Fresh from their appearance at Brecon Jazz, the Gwilym Simcock Trio will play this year's festival Jazz Evening at 7.30pm, on Wednesday, August 20.

Thursday, August 21, will see a lunchtime concert by Robert Plane on clarinet with the Gould Piano Trio playing Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. The evening concert will feature Zum, the five piece gypsy tango band making the Tabernacle swing.

The Friday night concert, August 22, will feature the Wihan Quartet with Martin Kasik on piano playing quartets by Mozart and Janacek and a Dvorak piano quintet.

Other events will include this year's Hallstatt Lecture, at 1pm, on Wednesday, August 20, with Lord Thomas of Gresford tracing the origins of the family of Abram Wood, a gypsy family from Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa who were famous harpists and from whom Lord Thomas is descended. He will also bring along his harp for an impromptu performance.

Another highlight will be an appearance by Aeronwy Thomas Ellis, daughter of Dylan Thomas, who will recount the pitfalls of being a famous poet's daughter and read some of her father's poetry from 1pm on Saturday, August 23.

The 7.30pm concert will have international pianist Steven Osborne playing Beethoven sonatas and Rachmaninov preludes.

The festival ends on Sunday, August 24, with the evening concert by mezzo soprano Christianne Stotjin making a thrilling return with the new festival artistic director Julius Drake, performing songs by Brahms accompanied by viola player Lawrence Power.