THE Ulverston International Music Festival returns next month, and the diverse programme features the UK's leading touring opera company alongside a famous TV face.

Under the Artistic Directorship of Ulverston-born pianist Anthony Hewitt, organisers have once again put together a fabulous 10-day feast of music.

The festival opener on June 8 heralds the welcome return of English Touring Opera to the Coronation Hall after a seven-year gap, this time performing Don Giovanni. 

Songs of a very different style follow hot on its heels with mesmerising vocalist Julia Biel, and the vocal theme continues with a Barbershop quartet courtesy of the multi award-winning Reckless. 

A quartet of the stringed variety ushers in two concerts on Sunday June 12 at the intimate Swarthmoor Hall, and the opening weekend ends on a high with Ulverston’s very own star saxophonist Jess Gillam, fresh from her success as a finalist at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.

The second half of the festival features some eye-brow raisers: TV star Alistair McGowan is a keen pianist and exponent of the music of Erik Satie - he presents his brand new production about the life of the eccentric French composer. 

Jennifer Pike is this year’s Celebrity Recitalist and in 2002 - aged just 12 - was the youngest-ever BBC Young Musician of the Year.

UIMF also supports local musicians and has a comprehensive schools’ Outreach programme - the annual Family Concert this year takes a culinary twist in Bake a Musical Cake. This interactive event for all ages features participation, and the performers will gather from the audience all the ingredients they need to make a delicious musical cake.

This year is the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, and homage is paid to the nation’s favourite bard with two concerts: many will recall last year that festival director Anthony Hewitt was forced to withdraw from performances due to injury, and now fully recovered, Anthony will perform the monumental Brahms Piano Concerto no. 1 with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

By popular demand, the festival reaches its climax with the return of Tango. Newly-formed ENTango met at the 2012 Festival, and bring a unique take on the relationship between music and dance.

The final day of the festival, June 19, is dedicated to showcasing local musicians with all donations and proceeds being donated to St Mary's Hospice.

For a detailed programme, visit www.ulverstonmusicfestival.co.uk

Tickets for individual concerts are available from the Coronation Hall box office.