LOOKING at the list of this year’s music festivals for the region, I am concerned about conflicts between the those at York, Ryedale and Harrogate, which all run, at least in part, simultaneously, writes Dave Robson.

Attempting to draw from the same basic audience between July 10 and August 24 might not be to the best benefit of any of them.

The earlier festivals – Swaledale (currently in progress), Northern Aldborough and that based at Brinkburn Priory in Northumberland – are better separated in both time and distance.

The Northern Aldborough (June 18-27) has a range of concerts in Aldborough Church and country houses, offering a slightly less opulent range owing to financial restraints.

Nevertheless, the programme is an attractive one, starting with the Heath Quartet in Aldborough Church at 7pm on June 18; the the Guillami String Quartet performs the following day, at 11am in Stockeld Park, Wetherby.

Also at Aldborough Church, Opera Brava presents a community opera, Prince Caspian, by Jenny Gould, with the local primary school on June 19, at 6pm, followed on June 20, at 7pm, by Puccini’s La Boheme.

On June 21, at the same venue, are the Trombone, Piano and Trumpet Trio and, at 1.45p, a piano recital of music by Beethoven and Gershwin by Warren Mailley- Smith.

In a change of scene and style, the festival moves on June 23 for a Cabaret Evening by Hatstand Opera; Vocal Vices appear the next day, at 11am, in Creskeld Hall, Arthington, with sopranos Susan Braime and Judy Dodd and pianist Gill Hawkes performing operatic arias.

The outstanding Lithuanian pianist, Evelina Puzaite, who has enjoyed highly successful concerts in Darlington and at Ryedale Festival, gives returns to Aldborough Church for a recital on June 24, at 7.30pm.

Then there’s the Summerhayes Piano Trio at the same venue, (June 25, 11am), Haydn Lute Trio (June 26, 10.30am) in Markenfield Hall, and the Northern Sinfonia Wind Ensemble at Aldborough Church (June 26, 7.30pm).

The festival finale in the grounds of Aldborough Manor rounds takes place on June 27, from 5.30pm, with the Virgin Islanders Steel Band and Voulez Vous providing a mix of calypso and Abba favourites.

For full details and tickets, ring the festival office on 01423-322586 or email festi val@aldborough.com.

Brinkburn Music Festival covers the weekends of July 3-5 and July 10-12 offering quality performances in the ancient walls of the priory.

The first weekend will see live-wire performances by Red Priest and Piers Adams, the excellent Carducci String Quartet and the Gabrieli Consort in I Heard a Voice from Heaven under the direction of Paul McCreesh.

The second weekend begins with tenor Mark Podmore and pianist Paul Lewis performing Schubert’s great song cycle Die Schone Mullerin; Mark Podmore gives a masterclass to young singers at 4pm on July 11; another great singer, Sir Thomas Allen, gives the 7.30pm evening concert.

The festival ends with a bicentenary tribute performance of Haydn’s oratorio The Creation (Sunday, 3.30pm) performed by the Gabrieli Players, soloists and Chetham’s Chamber Choir.

Call Brinkburn Music box office on 01289-330999 or visit www.brinkburnmusic.org.