CROWDS of people packed Worcester High Street to see the city's first festival's colourful opening.

The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards started the event with a rousing performance, accompanied by Chinese Lion Dancers.

Sweltering in the afternoon sun under their red tunics and bear skin hats, the regimental band marched through the city's streets before taking a salute at the Guildhall, marking the official opening of the ceremony.

Their music ranged from military marches to jazzier numbers, from Army of the Nile to Putting on the Ritz.

Equally as warm were members of the Leicestershire Kung-Fu Club, under the two Chinese Lions, accompanied by drummers, who made their own way through the city streets and around the CrownGate shopping centre.

Stewards, including festival director Chris Jaeger himself, led the performers through the city with Moses-like attempts to part the crowds.

Although it was impossible to say how many people watched the show, the assistant director of the Festival, Esther Blaine, said the figure must have run into the thousands.

"It was an absolutely brilliant day and probably the best start to the first Worcester Festival we could have hoped for," she said.

"Thanks to everybody who came out and made the day very special. We hope they will continue their support throughout the festival."

Musical treat for audience

RARE musical instruments that have barely seen the light of day since the 18th Century will be used in performances of early and modern music at the Worcester Festival.

Musica Leonarda, a Worcestershire and Warwickshire-based trio, will be giving two concerts featuring instruments such as the pardessus de viole.

"Not many people have seen a pardessus de viole," said Micaela Schmitz, of the early music group.

"It's part of the violas da gamba family and was popular in the time of Charles I and Charles II, before the violin came on the scene.

"It's got a similar shape to a violin, but it's not played under the chin but on the lap, bowed underhand and has frets, like a guitar.

"It was considered a much more lady-like instrument to play."

Playing this instrument will be Jacqui Robertson who is accompanied by Ms Schmitz on harpsichord and Michael Williamson's baroque violin.

Despite losing the popularity battle with the violin, the pardessus de voile and the violas da gamba are experiencing something of a renaissance, said Ms Schmitz.

"At the festival we will be doing a 'second premiere' of the only piece written for the pardessus de voile in the 20th Century," she said.

Musica Leonarda premiered The Chantry Suite, by Christopher Wood, at the British Library in March, and will be performing it for the second time in a concert called Who Says You Can't.

The concert will also feature an arrangement of Bartok's Mikro-kosmos set next to work by Bach.

Mixing old and new music, the group will use improvisation in their own adaptation of the Berg Violin Concerto and work by the 17th Century composer, Carr.

The concert follows Musica Leonarda's first performance at the festival tomorrow night, called For Three To Play.

"In that concert we're performing both baroque and folk, because the barriers between the two are artificial," said Ms Schmitz.

The programme includes work by Isabella Leonarda, the first woman to publish sonatas and who gave her name to the group.

"She inspires us to present works that are not performed as often as they should be," said Ms Schmitz.

For Three to Play will be at the Friends Meeting House, in Sansome Walk, at 7.30pm tomorrow. Tickets are £9, concessions £7.

Who Says You Can't will be at the same venue, starting at 11am, on Wednesday, August 13. Tickets are £6, concessions £4

For tickets to the performances contact the festival box office on 01905 611427.