A week of Finzi

And under the stewardship of conductor Clive Walkley, it has given hours of enjoyment to audiences across the region since its inception in 1969.

Friday, 8pm, at Cartmel Priory, Pro Nobis Singers and the acclaimed Wordsworth Singers perform the opening concert in the ambitious Finzi Festival Weekend, staged at four venues across South Lakeland by the ambitious Cumbria Choral Initiative.

A three-day feast where music lovers can dine out on some of the region's finest voices, celebrating 100 years since the birth of one of the most important English composers of the early 20th century, Gerald Finzi.

Well-known proponent of choral music, CCI founder, Levens Choir conductor, and the driving force behind the festival, Ian Jones, told me the idea for both CCI and the Finzi weekend was born out of a walk with like-minded choristers in Eskdale, four years ago: "In one sense it really began there.

It was through a discussion, while walking, about how to celebrate Gerald Finzi's centenary that a few of us came up with the whole CCI thing."

Why Finzi, I ask? "At first one has to say pure self indulgence.

After that, he is now being recognised as one of those many, many composers who, for reasons largely unknown, simply haven't been taken up in the way they deserve.

The age of the CD is doing a lot to change that situation.

"And the festival provides an opportunity for a concentrated weekend of English music performed by amateur and professional musicians who all have local connections in one way or another."

Not a prolific composer, Finzi's music portrays an uplifting lyricism with compositions reflecting his quiet and sensitive nature, beautifully written for voices.

He was a slow and painstaking composer, very self critical about his work and much admired by his personal friend and contemporary, Vaughan Williams.

Ian says it's absolutely right for CCI to stage the festival because it's about investigating new, little known, repertoire: "We are aiming at encouraging young players and singers.

And we are looking to present music in an interesting way at affordable prices.

" This festival meets all of these aims."

Finzi expert Philip Thomas holds a lecture on the London-born composer tomorrow (Saturday, 12noon), at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre, and covers the finer point of Finzi's Cello Concerto at the Kirkland Hall later at 6pm-6.40pm.

Meanwhile, Levens Choir lift up their glorious voices during Matins at Cartmel Priory on Sunday (10.30am) in Finzi's anthem, Lo, the full, final sacrifice, plus settings of Herbert Howell's Te Deum and Britten's Jubilate Deo.

English Song, at the Brewery Arts Centre theatre, on Sunday (2.30pm), features leading opera singer Joan Rodgers and Nicholas Hurdnall-Smith, accompanied by 1982's BBC Young Musician of the Year, pianist Anna Markland.

No doubt the soprano and tenor will demonstrate why they are both sought after soloists in a recital of songs, again by Finzi, plus works by Ivor Gurney, Roger Quilter, and Vaughan Williams.

Joan is a CCI patron and was awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours List.

She hails from Cleator Moor and, among her many accolades, received the Royal Philharmonic Society Singer of the Year award in 1997.

Nicholas read music at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he was organ scholar.

He went on to study singing with David Pollard at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, joining acclaimed voice ensemble I Fagiolini in 1993.

His wide oratorio repertoire takes him to festivals all over the UK and his impressive vocal skills are in demand with future engagements including appearances in Bermuda and across Europe.

The younger members of the region's musical fraternity get in on the act at the Kendal arts centre later on Sunday (7.30pm) when Charlotte Jackson's outstanding Amabile Girls Choir, clarinettist and 1997 Mary Wakefield Festival Jim Noble Award winner Claire Boxall, and flute player and Chetham's student Benjamin MacDougall, from Maulds Meaburn, present poetry, song and instrumental music.

Their programme includes Finzi's Five Bagatelle's, the Suite Antique, by John Rutter, madrigals and British folk songs.

Kendal Parish Church plays its part in the festival with an organ recital from Hugh Davies tomorrow (Saturday, 12.30pm), and the county's massive Millennium Chorus and Lancaster Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Bob Chasey line up in the Orchestral and Choral Concert performing Finzi's Magnificat and joyful St Cecilia, Vaughan Williams' Benedicite and Elgar's Introduction and Allegro.

Joan Rodgers and Nicholas Hurndall-Smith team up again to help raise the church roof, plus Peter Dixon, principal cello for the BBC Philharmonic, is on hand for Finzi's Cello Concerto.

What a weekend in store.

Bookings for all events from the Brewery Arts Centre box office on 01539-725133.