A HOST of stars are to appear at the Llandeilo Fawr Festival.

The festival has already established a reputation among musical cognoscenti for attracting artists of international calibre.

In July the festival will surpass its own previous achievements when it welcomes two young vocal stars who have not only attracted widespread critical acclaim but who are set to establish themselves at the very pinnacle of their chosen profession.

Elin Manahan was signed up to appear at the festival when she was about to finalise a five-album deal with Universal Classics and Jazz which could see her rivalling Katherine Jenkins as one of Britain's favourite singers.

When she appears at Llandeilo in a gala festival opening concert on Saturday, July 7 with the renowned Swansea Bach Choir under director John Hugh Thomas, she will have newly released her debut album Eternal Light.

The Llandeilo audience will be the very first to hear her in person after the record has hit the shops.

Festival organisers are delighted to have achieved such a major coup, but it is not just the appearance of Elin which is exciting the growing band of festival aficionados.

On the following Friday (July13) a baritone described as being at the very forefront of today's young generation of singers will be giving a fascinating song recital with leading accompanist Michael Hampton.

Jonathan Lemalu, the much admired New Zealand-born Samoan, has already collected a Gramophone Magazine Debut Artist of the Year award and is an exclusive recording artist for EMI Classics.

In his short career he has become a familiar name at the New York Metropolitan, Covent Garden and Glyndebourne opera houses and he is equally well known for his appearances at major festivals.

The appearance of both Elin and Jonathan is bound to intensify what is always a heavy demand for tickets.

Organisers are bracing themselves for rush to obtain tickets for open-air opera, The Barber of Seville, at Aberglasney Gardens, the Australian piano virtuoso Leslie Howard and the jazz singer Melanie Marshall at The Cawdor Hotel, and appearances by Welsh choir Cordydd.

Festival brochures can be obtained by ringing 01558 823294.