A NEW classical music festival boasting an outstanding piano will bring a virtuoso pianist back into the live arena.

Hellensmusic takes place at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, near Ledbury, from Friday to Sunday, May 3-5 and the presence of the Steinway Concert Grand has secured Christian Blackshaw as its artistic director.

Having made a live return in 2009 after taking almost 20 years off, Christian will give a solo performance on the Friday before teaming up with Màtè Szücs, the principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, on the Saturday.

He will then give a masterclass with students from the Royal Northern College, Royal Welsh College and Birmingham Conservatoire on the Sunday.

His playing is said to combine tremendous emotional depth with great understanding and has been hailed for its sheer musicality and humanity.

The concerts will be held in the sixteenth century great barn of the house, which itself dates back to 1096, with a pre-concert supper on both Friday and Saturday held in Hellens Stone Hall.

For more information, go to hellensmanor.com or call the Orpheus Box Office on 01905 570979.