There will, no doubt, be a little blues on stage, but there’s no hint of recession blues in this year’s 61st programme for the Bath Festival, that runs from May 22 to June 6.

Artistic director Joanna MacGregor has compiled a heady mix that bridges many a musical genre.

It celebrates Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s 75th birthday, opens the soul of America’s Appalachian traditions and still finds itself able to embrace new commissions and pursue imaginative themes.

From the Jerusalem Quartet to bluegrass giant Dr Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys, from jazz star Branford Marsalis to the exciting classical piano of Freddy Kempf, the range on offer is immense. Chamber recitals include violinist Nikolaj Znaider performing Brahms’s Sextet No 1 and Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht Op 4 with the London Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, the Czech Pavel Haas Quartet playing, naturally, Janacek and Dvorak and, surely one of the treats, tenor Paul Nilon and mezzo Carolyn Dobbin in Jancek’s The Diary of One Who Disappeared, together with choral works by Britten.

Bach lovers will have his entire Solo Cello Suites from Pieter Wispelewey and from Carole Cerasi’s clavichord The Well Tempered Clavier Book 1, which is possibly the most important keyboard music of all.

Emma Kirkby, Joanna MacGregor, of course, and guitarist Xuefei Yang feature prominently and to ring the changes the Russian Orthodox male voice choir, Arte Corale, will bring 13th century music written for the Kiev Monastery of the Caves.

A bold project is the Battle of Quiberon Bay, an operatic extravaganza set in and around the Roman Baths to celebrate Handel’s 250th anniversary.

Expect fireworks, pyrotechnic and musical, and the odd galleon taking to the waters of the King’s Bath.

For full information on the line-up and ticket prices log onto the special music festival website at www.bathmusicfest.org.uk.

Brochures and tickets are also available now from the festival box office on (01225) 463362.

Reg Burnard