THE Ten Tors Orchestra is performing a concert of Mystery and Romance at St Peter's Church, North Tawton, on Saturday September 22, 7.30pm.

The programme includes a new work, White Bird, by Plymouth composer Clive Jenkins. This work, scored for strings and mezzo-soprano vocalise depicts an old Dartmoor legend of the apparition of the white-breasted bird, which appeared beside the local beauty, Margaret Oxenham on her wedding day, just moments before she was cruelly stabbed by a jealous rejected suitor.

The mezzo-soprano soloist is Joanne Thomas. Joanne recently completed her opera studies at London Royal Schools Opera but she already has a list of stage performances with Welsh National Opera and at Sydney Opera House. Joanne represented Wales in this year's Cardiff singer of the world competition. Joanne will also be singing arias from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas' and settings of Shakespeare Songs by the 18th century English composer Thomas Arne.

Conductor Simon Ible said: 'I had the pleasure of working with Joanne earlier this year in Plymouth. Her voice has a magical quality supported by an outstanding technique. I look forward to her capturing the mystery of the White Bird and passion of Dido's poignant lament.'

The Ten Tors Orchestra will also perform Scarlatti's Concerto Grosso in G minor, Grainger's Irish tune 'Londonderry' and Mozart's ever-popular Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

Tickets priced £9 (under 16s £4) from Broadhall Tea and Craft Shop the Square North Tawton or telephone 01566 783310. Email [email protected]">[email protected]; web address: http://www.tentorsorchestra.co.uk">www.tentorsorchestra.co.uk