HARROGATE International Festival opens tomorrow (24th), buoyed by this week's Nationwide Mercury Music Prize nomination for its opening-night attraction, jazz wild card Amy Winehouse.

The Camden teen discovery, who has newly turned 20, has been installed as 6/1 joint second favourite for the award ceremony in September with her debut album, the chart-topping Frank.

Londoner Winehouse is performing at Harrogate International Centre at 8pm tomorrow, giving the festival an unusually cool start with her feisty fusion of punchy urban beats, old-school soul, jazz, R&B and hip-hop.

Portuguese singer Mariza appears at the International Centre on July 31 in one of only two performances that the Fado superstar has lined up for Britain this year. "World music's favourite cover girl has it all - charisma, stunning looks, a voice to die for - and Jools Holland as her biggest fan," says festival director William Culver-Dodds.

American jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis returns to the International Centre on August 1 with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for his only British date outside London this year.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is returning too, booked into the International Centre for the closing concert on August 6, when John Lill is the piano soloist for Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 5.

The festival run from this weekend until August 6, and further highlights include the irreverent Oddsocks Productions' performances of The Legend Of Robin Hood in the Harlow Carr gardens on Monday and Tuesday; violinist Tamsin Little and pianist John Lenehan's recital at Harrogate Theatre on Tuesday; musical satirists Kit and The Widow, Majestic Hotel, Wednesday; jazz singer Clare Teal, Harrogate Theatre, next Friday, and Garden Opera's Don Giovanni at the Great Yorkshire Showground, August 5.

For up-to-date programme information, visit the website at www.harrogate-festival.org.uk. For festival tickets, ring 01423 537230.

Updated: 15:50 Thursday, July 22, 2004