A MALVERN conductor of international significance will be returning to home turf to conduct the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the Wyastone Summer Series.

William Boughton will conducting the RPO in a performance of Beethoven's Sixth and Seventh Symphonies as part of a special weekend devoted to the composer.

"It's been about six or seven years since I conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra," said Mr Boughton.

Performing in the series has special significance for him as he is also the artistic director of Wyastone and was a driving force in setting the festival up last year.

The event is an annual classic musical festival held in the grounds of the Wyastone Estate, now the home of Nimbus Records, on the banks of the River Wye between Ross and Monmouth.

"I am always fond of working in the UK particularly this close to home," said Mr Boughton, who has recently returned from conducting in Vienna.

"The venue is very special. It is a beautiful place and the most fantastic concert hall."

"British musicians are some of the best in the world, but the main thing is to be sincere to the music."

The Royal Philharmonic will open the Beethoven Weekend at 7.30pm today with performances of Beethoven's Symphony No6 in F major "Pastoral" composed in the summer of 1808, and Symphony No7 considered his best capturing the essence of dance rhythms.

"The seventh is the apotheosis of dance and number six is a very famous pastoral symphony," said Mr Boughton.

On Saturday, June 22, at 7.30pm, one of the leading interpreters of Beethoven, John Lill, will perform a piano recital.

"John Lill is extremely well-known," said Mr Boughton.

He is a regular visitor to the BBC Proms and frequently works with the City of Birmingham Symphony and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

The final concert of the weekend will be given by The Lyndsay Quartet on Sunday, June 23, at 2.30pm.

"The Lindsay String Quartet is thebest-known string quartet in the UK," said Mrs Boughton.

"It has performed all over the world and it has been a while since they were in this area."

Tickets for all performances range from £10 to £25 either atthe door or by calling the box office between 10am and 5pm weekdays on 01684 560696.