KESWICK Music Society’s new season opens on Sunday, September 25 (7.30pm), with one of the world's top cellists in the soloist's spotlight - Raphael Wallfisch.

The distinguished musician plays Dvorak's cello concerto alongside the outstanding Orchestra of the Swan, with Beethoven’s 8th Symphony and Rossini’s sparkling overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers.

On October 16, the highly rated Dante String Quartet will perform quartets by Schubert, Mendelssohn and Beethoven (his, late great opus 132) and fascinating French pianist, Patrick Hemmerlé, now based in Cambridge, presents an unusual concert on November 13 - Bach’s sublime Goldberg Variations, which will form the first half and as a complete contrast the second half will be Chopin’s Etudes Op 25.

Concluding the 2016 half of the season December 11 will superstar violinist Alina Ibragimova playing works by Bach and Ysaye derived from her concert at the Proms this summer.

Come January and acclaimed young tenor Nick Pritchard with pianist Ian Tindale will perform Die Schöne Mullerin (The Miller’s Beautiful Daughter), the much-loved and melodious song cycle by Schubert.

Tied in with February's half-term, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, arguably the nation's best chamber orchestra, returns to Keswick staging a Family Concert on Sunday, February 19 (3pm) with the popular story of Peter and the Wolf; in the evening (7.30pm) director Bradley Creswick and the Royal Northern's programme includes Vaughan Williams’ princely pastoral piece The Lark Ascending and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

The March concert will feature rising star of cello Michel Petrov, a Young Concert Artists Trust sponsored musician. Alongside accomplished pianist Alexander Ullman his programme includes Prokofiev, Janacek, and Chopin’s luscious sonata for cello and piano.

The excellent Primrose Piano Quartet will be joined by double bass virtuoso Leon Busch to finish the season on April 23, with a selection of tunes such as Schubert’s Trout Quintet as well as the brilliant Grand Duo for double bass and violin.

Meanwhile, on February 15, there's also the annual Keswick Young Musicians’ Concert.

There is a free pre-concert talk before each concert, given either by the players themselves or by local musicians.

The society's season of eight concerts are staged at Theatre by the Lake.

For details about the society contact secretary, Elaine Moor, on 01900-85967, or visit www.keswick-music-society.org.

Tickets are available from the Theatre by the Lake box office on 017687-74411.