Hannah Stone, harpist to HRH Prince Charles is performing at the Lower Machen Festival on Thursday 21st June at 8pm in a concert at St Michael’s Church, Lower Machen. The concert also features her fiance Gary Griffiths who will be making a rare appearance together and pupils from St Joseph’s High School in Newport who will be joining the duo to perform a new work specially written for the occasion by Welsh composer Lisa Mears.

The programme, sponsored by Salvi harps, also features many of the showpieces of the harp repertoire including works by Scarlatti, Parry, Caplet, Walter-Kuene, Renie, Mathias and Alvars. She will be joined by Gary to perform works by Britten, Mozart and traditional folk songs.

Joint artistic director Alison Esswood said: “We are delighted to feature Hannah in this year’s festival concerts in this unique collaboration with pupils from Newport and baritone Gary Griffiths. “Hannah was the featured soloist at the festival launch in May and her programme gave us a glimpse of the highlights in store.

“We are committed to bringing education to the heart of the festival and opportunities for school pupils include a free baroque workshop with early music group Passacaglia and a free concert by international pianist Peter Donohoe.” Based in one of the smallest villages in South Wales, the Lower Machen Festival this year runs from this Sunday through to Saturday, June 23.

Other highlights include actors Dame Harriet Walter and Guy Paul in a programme with pianist Lucy Parham, Passacaglia, Eroica Quartet, Schubert Ensemble and Sinfonia Cymru. There is also a free concert at the Riverfront Newport featuring 18-year-old Christopher Dunn, category finalist in the BBC Young Musician 2012.

Tickets are available from the Ticketsource Box Office on 0844 8700 887 or online at ticketsource.co.uk/machen Festival events can also be viewed at: lower machenfestival.co.uk