TICKETS are now on sale for the Cirencester International Organ Festival at Cirencester Parish Church in April, a week-long event raising funds for the the upkeep of the church’s world-class organ.

The week will include a wine tasting recital, silent movie improvisation and family concert.

The festival, from April 22-29, will be a mix of ticket-only evening concerts and free lunchtime recitals, open to all.

The opening Gala of the Organ Festival will be a recital by Stephen Tharp, who hasn’t played in the UK for over a decade.

Dr Anthony Hammond, director of music at Cirencester Parish Church and artistic director for the festival, said: “The festival is now an established fixture of the musical life of Cirencester and the Cotswolds, but it is far more than just entertainment for those living here.

“It draws visitors from all corners of our country and beyond –people who come not just for a fabulous and varied week of live music, but who also spend time enjoying our church and everything that the local area has to offer.”

The festival will also see the return of the silent movie improvisation, played by Dr Hammond.

New to the programme this year will be the gala wine recital. The California Wine Suite is an entertaining work of eight movements, named after California wine varieties.

At the event, guests will enjoy listening to each movement alongside a tutored wine and food tasting.

And a new addition this year is the family concert, aimed at children of all ages and their parents. It will be a musical re-telling of Peter and the Wolf using organ music, poetry and picture.

The free lunchtime concerts will feature some of the brightest rising stars of the organ world.

  •  To buy tickets and see a full programme visit cirencesterorganfestival.co.uk.