THE Roman River Festival is set to return to Essex, featuring classical and contemporary music – including a concert in Colchester’s Jumbo water tower.

Starting as a one-off recital in a church, the Roman River Festival is now in its 24th year and will showcase internationally renowned artists alongside emerging talent from September 22-29.

The festival uses unconventional and historic venues, and in the past concerts have been held in village churches, country houses and outdoor spaces which reflect the county’s rich history and natural beauty.

This year there will be a new concert, ‘Notes in the Sky’, a chance to experience a a performance combining poetry and music inside Jumbo, Colchester’s iconic water tower.

Ant Roberts, director of Colchester Arts Centre, will be reciting some of the poems he shared online during the pandemic lockdown.

He will be also accompanied on the cello by Orlando Jopling who is also the creative director of Wild Arts - an Essex-based charity which now runs the festival.

The big Saturday concert of this year’s festival will be in the church of St Peter ad Vincula in Coggeshall.

There will be a performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto by Classic FM rising star Hana Chang, accompanied by the Wild Arts Ensemble.

Other concerts over the week include a journey through the madrigal in music and words by the Monteverdi String Band, who have just released a new album.

There will also be an opportunity to hear Heloise Werner, part of the group the Hermes Experiment, as part of a programme of contemporary songs at Colchester’s FirstSite.

Wild Arts, which aims to make music "fresh, enjoyable, and available to everyone" while spearheading "positive environmental change", also holds other events.

These include a staged performance of Handel’s Messiah for Christmas at Layer Marney Tower and Chelmsford Cathedral, before a national tour.

The charity also has a series of spring concerts in Colchester’s Old Library and the Essex Summer Opera Festival.

Early booking is being recommended as many events are expected to sell out quickly, with tickets available at www.wildarts.org.uk/roman-river-festival.