French soprano Claire Lefilliâtre is one of the leading interpreters of the baroque repertoire in her own country. She has been able to combine a visit to Herefordshire with a performance the following Saturday with her regular ensemble, Le Poème Harmonique, at the Wigmore Hall in London. The Herefordshire concert is at St Catherine’s Church in Hoarwithy on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Claire will be joined by local mezzo soprano Catherine King, who is a favourite not only of local audiences, but also enjoys a busy international career as a soloist and with her recently-formed group Gothic Voices.

The two sopranos will be joined by Martin Perkins and his Musical and Amicable Society period- instrument ensemble and together they will be performing the Stabat Mater by Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725), plus a further duo and a virtuoso solo piece each.

Interspersed with these sung works are instrumental pieces of the same period. Tickets are £15 each, and for students the event is free.

Tickets are obtainable from Rossiter Books in Ross on 01989 564464 and The New Harp Inn Hoarwithy, on 01432 840900.

The path up to the church is quite steep, with three sets of steps, so if anyone is likely to have difficulty, they should telephone 01989 730439 to arrange help, or with any other enquiries.