THE 2008 Harrogate International Festival Sunday Series at the April 6 opens this weekend with the debut festival performance by the Modigliani String Quartet.

On Sunday morning, these young French musicians play works by Haydn, Debussy and Beethoven.

For the second concert, on February 3, Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa makes a fourth appearance in the series following three previous sell-outs.

Another pianist, Simon Trpceski, returns on February 17. Born in Macedonia, Trpceski rose to fame in Britain as a BBC New Generation artist in 2001-2003, and his Harrogate programme ranges from Chopin to Prokofiev.

Award-winning British cellist Raphael Wallfisch takes to the hotel stage on March 30, followed by Harrogate favourite Emma Johnson's programme of traditional and contemporary music for clarinet on April 6.

The series is programmed by William Culver-Dodds, chief executive of Harrogate International Festival. Each concert starts at 11am and tickets can be reserved on 0845 1308840.