SYDNEY Royal Opera House veteran Anita Watson is one of many acclaimed performers set to perform at Stogumber’s music festival, opening today (Thursday).

The Australian soprano comes to St Mary’s Church, the focal point of the festival, this Saturday, August 31, just five days after making her debut at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.

She will be joined by the awe-inspiring Lada Valešová, a revered Czech concert pianist deemed one of the most gifted accompanists.

Valešová opens the festival tonight.

With a performance track record panning concert halls and opera houses the world over, including Covent Garden and Venice’s Teatro La Fenice, Venice, Anita Watson’s appearance fulfils the organisers’ desire to bring major international artists to the Stogumber festival.

With critics dubbing her vocals “fresh”, “full”, “eloquent” and “unforced”, her programme comprises popular songs by Richard Strauss and Charles Ives, among a well-loved selection of operatic arias.

Other headliners include awardwinning Irish folk singer-songwriter Cara Dillon, supported by jaw-dropping selftaught Taunton guitarist Darren Hodge.

Saxophone octet Reed Rage will perform a set of big band jazz and swing, while gypsy-inspired classical music from Trio Paradis and internationally acclaimed concert organist William Whitehead also make up the billing.

A run of free performances will be given at various points over the weekend, such as the Village Square and White Horse Inn, from children’s workshops to hand-picked street buskers, for a truly packed programme.

Full details of the festival’s complete programme can be seen at www.stogumberfestival.com and tickets for paid concerts are available from the website or the village’s Central Stores.