The programme of events has been announced for the 2010 Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts, one of the highlights of the South East�s events calendar. The 22nd Mayfield Festival, which opens on 23rd April and runs until 9th May, will comprise daily events in the magnificent setting of the historic village of Mayfield, East Sussex.

Once again the Festival programme is varied and remarkable, featuring world-class performers from both home and abroad. This year the Festival is honoured to be welcoming to Mayfield the highly esteemed Dame Janet Baker CH DBE, who will deliver a lecture on the art of communication in singing; and Sir David Willcocks, who plans to conduct the Mayfield Festival Choir as part of his 90th birthday celebrations.

Other highlights include the return to Mayfield of internationally renowned baritone Sir Thomas Allen, this year with the Jette Parker Young Artists from The Royal Opera House Covent Garden; an atmospheric appearance by the professional chamber choir Tenebrae, Britain�s finest vocal ensemble; �Viva Vivaldi in Candlelight� with La Serenissima, one of the leading exponents of the music of Antonio Vivaldi and his Italian contemporaries; and �Champagne and Chopin� with the distinguished American pianist Kevin Kenner, which will mark the bicentenary of the composer�s birth. Local artists and musicians are also set to take the stage, with an evening of spoken word and music by the talented young students of St Leonards-Mayfield School and a performance by the recently formed choir, The Mayfield Consort.

Events will include also a Film Evening, bringing to Mayfield the first major film to portray the life of Benjamin Britten and his enduring love for Peter Pears � in addition to a work by local playwright Valerie Chidson concerning the mysterious disappearance of a young Waldron village girl.

�In Mayfield we are privileged to enjoy champion artists who share the platform with tomorrow's stars today, as well as champion sponsors who ensure through their generosity that our distinctive festival continues to enrich the community as a whole,� says the Festival�s Artistic Director, Neil Mackie CBE. �Together their generosity of spirit makes the Mayfield Festival the special event it has become.�

Full details of all the Festival events can be found at www.mayfieldfestival.co.uk, where this year for the first time online ticket enquiries will also be taken. The Box Office opens in Mayfield on Saturday 27 February and will be open in London House between 13:00 and 17:00 hrs until Saturday 6th March, with a further afternoon on Saturday, March 13th. Booking requests will be accepted daily via the website from Monday 8th March � see the website for all box office and Festival contact details, including order forms after March 8th.

Box Office Telephone: (01435) 873382 � this provides recorded information, including the address for postal applications given here below. Mailing Address: Festival Box Office, PO Box 324, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6WA

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Media Enquiries: contact Kate Sanday on 07816 987656, email: katesanday@btinternet.com