Flautist Sir James Galway, pianist John Lill, tenor Alfie Boe, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Black Dyke Band will feature in this summer's King's Lynn Festival being staged from July 13-26.

Flautist Sir James Galway, pianist John Lill, tenor Alfie Boe, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Black Dyke Band will feature in this summer's King's Lynn Festival being staged from July 13-26.

Festival artistic director Ambrose Miller said the programme comprised "an exceptional collection of talent to rival any other festival in the UK".

"It is a real coup that the Czech National Symphony Orchestra is appearing at Lynn with Libor Pesek, one of the world's most distinguished conductors, and Sir James Galway will make a rare appearance in England. They will provide an international flavour and attract audiences from far and wide," Mr Miller said.

The wide-ranging programme will include some festival favourites - but there will be major new attractions such as the Czech orchestra which is flying to Britain especially for its appearance at Lynn and just one other date in Britain. Libor Pesek will conduct a programme including Dvorak's New World Symphony and cello concerto which will conclude the festival on Saturday July 26.

Sir James Galway, who last appeared at Lynn Festival in 1992 and who now lives in Switzerland, will give a recital with his wife and fellow flautist, Lady Jeanne Galway, with Philip Moll (piano) on July 15.

John Lill gave a recital attended by the late Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales in St Nicholas' Chapel in 2000 to mark the 50th festival, and he returned two years later to take part in the last-night concert. This summer his programme, on July 17, will include Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and Appassionata Sonata.

Alfie Boe, a rising star of the opera world, is to sing arias by Mozart, Donizetti and Puccini plus songs from his new CD on July 22. He was a soloist in last November's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and this year is performing in English National Opera's production of The Merry Widow.

The Black Dyke Band thrilled the audience at the festival's opening in 2005 and is set to do the same on July 13 with traditional brass band classics.

Folk legends John Tams and Barry Coope are also returning by popular demand to present an evening of the best of folk music on July 23.

Trumpeter Crispian Steele-Perkins has won many admirers on previous visits to Lynn. He is set to entertain at a family event entitled Hosepipes, Horns and Trumpets at All Saints' Church on July 19. Later the same day, he will be the soloist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at St Margaret's Church.

King's Lynn Festival Chorus will team up with the Orchestra of the Swan on July 20 to perform Haydn's Creation. The Harpham Quartet will give an afternoon concert at Park House, Sandringham the same day. The St Petersburg Quartet will appear on July 24 and there will be a series of five morning coffee concerts on July 21-25.

Historian Michael Wood will give an illustrated talk on the ancient civilisations of South India (July 14) and there will be a literary dinner (July 18).

tThe festival brochure will be available in early May and the box office will open shortly afterwards. Call 01553 767557 for details.