The 67th King's Lynn Festival will serve up another exciting feast of music and the arts featuring world-famous names in a packed two-week programme of more than 30 events this summer.

Eastern Daily Press: The launch of the King's Lynn Festival. Pictured are (from left) Alison Croose, Issy Smith and Borough Mayor David Whitby. Picture: Ian BurtThe launch of the King's Lynn Festival. Pictured are (from left) Alison Croose, Issy Smith and Borough Mayor David Whitby. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The Festival, which runs from July 16 - 29, is set to be catapulted on to the national stage when the BBC Concert Orchestra appears at the Corn Exchange for an edition of Friday Night is Music Night with a Heroes and Villains theme featuring music from TV, film, theatre and the classic.

Two years ago a recording of the popular Radio 2 programme gave King's Lynn and its arts festival huge national profile with dozens of mentions on radio over several weeks.

At the launch today in Bank House, King's Staithe Square, chairman Alison Croose thanked the council and sponsors for their 'heartwarming' support in a festival which will bring vistors far and wide to West Norfolk.

She said: 'The festival has gotten bigger and better year on year so now we have to go for the hat trick.

Eastern Daily Press: Pianist Freddy Kempf. Picture: Neda NavaeePianist Freddy Kempf. Picture: Neda Navaee (Image: Archant)

'There's something for everyone and we hope to mantain national excellence.

'Our aim is to enrich the lives of West Norfolk, making it a cultural heritage destination.' She added.

This summer's wide-ranging programme will feature classical music, jazz, folk, films, speakers, walks and exhibitions.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Clare Teal with her Hollywood Orchestra, Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band, pianist Freddy Kempf, poet Roger McGough, European Union Chamber Orchestra, and a folk and dance spectacular with The Demon Barbers are among the highlights.

Eastern Daily Press: Roger McGough (front, centre) who will be appearing at King's Lynn festivalPicture: Nick WrightRoger McGough (front, centre) who will be appearing at King's Lynn festivalPicture: Nick Wright (Image: Archant)

Festival artistic director Ambrose Miller said: 'The quality and breadth of the programme puts the festival on a level with the most prestigious festivals in Britain'.

Stirring music performed by The Brighouse and Rastrick Band from Yorkshire, regarded by many as the best brass band in Britain, will open the festival on a high note.

Renowned cellist Ralph Wallfisch will feature with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in the final concert when he is soloist in Dvorak's cello concerto in B minor during a programme also including Mendelssohn's overture Midsummer Night's Dream and Beethoven's Eroica Symphony. The British conductor will be Martin Yates.

The European Union Chamber Orchestra will present the early music day concert in the Minster Church. It will be the last of three UK tour dates in a new collaboration with recorder virtuoso Piers Adams, a member of Red Priest. Their programme has been described as 'an exciting night of red-hot baroque'.

Euco will also help King's Lynn Festival Chorus celebrate its 40th anniversary at St Nicholas' Chapel. The chorus will mark the occasion with a performance of Mozart's Great Mass in C, the work which featured in its first concert at the same venue in 1977. BBC Young Musician brass winner in 2016, Ben Goldscheider, will be the soloist in Mozart's horn concerto.

Another concert also benefiting from the chapel's superb acoustic will be 4 Girls 4 Harps, a quartet renowned for its dynamic performances, which will take the audience on a musical journey round the world.

Scottish fiddle music doesn't get any more exciting than in the hands of Blazin' Fiddles who will make a welcome return after their sell-out visit four years ago.

The Demon Barbers will bring a high energy folk music and dance spectacular featuring clog, sword, hip hop and break dancers.

Tangomotion will be a breath-taking music and dance journey into the heart of Argentina with world-class dancers and live music and song.

Clare Teal is sure to get a warm welcome when she returns with her Hollywood Orchestra conducted by internationally-acclaimed trumpeter Guy Barker.

Poet Roger McGough and Little Machine will present an innovative new show involving vintage, classic and surprising poems set to music.

Medieval monarchy expert Dr Marc Morris will give a talk, Bad King John? and Fredi Devas, producer of Planet Earth II, will focus on unlikely wildlife in cities at a Royal Geographical Society event.

Festival brochures will be available in March, priority booking for Patrons opens on April 3, and Friends on April 10. General booking starts on April 24. The box office is at Lynn Corn Exchange on 01553-764864. For more click here.