THE acoustics of an historic church will add to the atmosphere when cellist Clare O'Connell plays in the area on Saturday.

Clare is teaming up with James Lisney for the chamber concert at Charlton Church. Together they will be performing music for cello and piano by Beethoven, Bach's 3rd Suite for solo cello and the Italian Concerto in F for piano by the same composer.

"Clare has played in our church on two previous occasions with the wonderfully vibrant ensemble Chroma," said Charlotte Ooi, one of the concert organisers.

"Chroma, in fact, gave the very first concert in this series back in 1998. Clare is still with Chroma, and the ensemble has enjoyed many successes recently."

Clare's orchestral experience has included work with Iona Brown and Oliver Knussen, the Ulster Orchestra and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

As a soloist she recently understudied the Barber Cello Concerto for Steven Isserlis with the Amadeus Orchestra.

In the coming year she will be working with the Brunei Ensemble and is preparing a series of concerts with pianist Natasa Lipoveck, as well as playing with James Lisney.

During his years of study at the Royal College of Music, James Lisney won major awards for piano, both as a soloist and chamber musician. In recognition he was awarded the Peter Morrison Recital Prize, which provided for a highly acclaimed Wigmore Hall debut in 1986.

James has been featured as a soloist with many orchestras, including the English Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic, the European Community Chamber Orchestra and the Enescu Philharmonic.

His debut recording of Tchaikovsky piano music for Carlton Classics was first choice in The Telegraph and his recordings of Schubert have drawn the highest praise. Tickets are available at Hampton Farm Shop, Pershore Road, Cropthorne Post Office or by telephone from Charlotte Ooi on 01386 861139.