It is the Town Hall's 150th anniversary year, there are 20 concerts containing an illustrious orchestral line-up, London's Philharmonia opening the season in September with music by Beethoven and Berlioz.

Among the overseas visitors are the Berlin Symphony, St Petersburg, Moscow, Russian State and Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestras together with the highly acclaimed Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.

The roster of conductors is equally star-studded with the three great Russians of our time, Yuri Temirkanov, Valery Poliansky and Yuri Simonov, together with the charismatic Esa-Pekka Salonen and the celebrated Sir Charles Mackerras.

There is elegance from the French pianist, Helene Grimaud, in Beethoven's Fourth Concerto; the veteran winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition, Radu Lupu,
in Bartok's Third Concerto, and violin virtuoso, Sarah Chang, playing the Brahms concerto.

The two major Leeds choirs combine in a performance of Delius's Mass of Life, with the Philharmonic Chorus later sharing the stage with the Orchestra of Opera North in Mendelssohn's oratorio, Elijah a work that once vied with the Messiah in the popularity stakes.

A most welcome return from the BBC Scottish Symphony, presently
riding high in the UK's orchestra league, with the outstanding City of Birmingham Symphony bringing the gifted Isabelle van Keulen as soloist in Berg's Violin Concerto.

Amid their busy time in the theatre, the Orchestra of Opera North give three concerts, with the fiery Italian, Carlo Rizzi,
directing works by Sibelius and Tchaikovsky, and Richard Farnes in a programme containing Shostakovich's Second Cello Concerto and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.

Details of Leeds International Orchestra Season is available from 0113 224 3801 or www.leedsconcertseason.com