THREE leading tenors are heading our way in the New Year as star turns in a two-day special of opera and sacred music.

As part of The Northumbrian Music Festival: On Tour, the grand gathering staged on Friday and Saturday, January 13-14, at Grasmere's St Oswald’s Church and the Wordsworth Hotel, includes three concerts.

Andrew Forbes Lane, Nicholas Sales, and Peter Auty together with accompanist Ingrid Sawers, present a fabulous night of song and anecdotes in a gala evening in St Oswald’s Church on the Friday.

All former singers of the D’Oyly Carte Opera, the terrific trio perform operatic classics and musical numbers, including gems such as Recondita Armonia (Tosca) by Puccini, Maria (West Side Story) by Bernstein and Brindisi (La Traviata) by Verdi.

Tickets prices include a three-course meal at The Wordsworth Hotel, next door to the church.

Centre stage the day after (Saturday, January 14), will be highly acclaimed young organist Luke Fitzgerald, who takes a break from his role at Plymouth Cathedral to perform a stirring lunch time recital, which includes master works from Bach, Mendelsohn and Brahms. As an organist, composer and conductor, with a particular passion for music that has arisen out of the liturgical tradition, Luke will take audiences on a journey through the wonder of organ music.

In the evening, the audience gets the chance to hear the wonder of music created to celebrate the glory of religious experience. The Glory of Sacred Music, features iconic pieces from Haydn, Handel and Mozart, performed by four experienced musicians, including soprano and actress, Sarah Helsby-Hughes, who has played more than 15 roles for Heritage Opera, directing most of their productions since 2008 and becoming artistic director in 2011. She is also stage director for Midlands Opera.

A three-course meal will also be available before the sacred music concert.

Festival organiser Barbara Huddart, said they were delighted that the festival was heading to the Lake District as part of its tour: She added: "This is wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy some post-Christmas relaxation, amazing music, along with wonderful food in the beautiful setting of Grasmere village. We know from our experience that this combination ensures that these concerts are hugely memorable events for all who attend.”

Organised by the Robert Parker Collection of Hotels, the concerts have become an established part of the musical scene in Northumberland. The expansion of the hotel group and the purchase of the Wordsworth Hotel was seen by its owner, Robert Parker as an opportunity, and events are now be held in each of the five hotels in the group.

For further festival details visit www.nmfestival.co.uk or telephone 01668-283100.