A BRADFORD on Avon harpsichordist who performs all over the world is returning to her roots to take part in the Chantry Singers Bach Festival 2000 this month.

Sophie Yates, 35, who has played as far afield as Syria, Western Australia and Japan, is performing a solo recital in the Banqueting Rooms in Bath, followed by multiple harpsichord concertos in Bath Abbey.

She said she is delighted to have the opportunity to play in such appropriate settings.

"The Bath Bach Festival is ideal for 18th century music, because the venues are ideal it is so nice to play the right instrument in the right location."

Sophie, who will be performing in Milan next month, combines her work as a soloist and in ensemble with teaching at the Royal College of Music.

The Bath event will be one of the UK's most comprehensive Bach festivals in celebration of his 250th anniversary.

The programme of 18 events has been devised to take in the widest possible variety of Bach's astonishing musical output, including three of his major choral works, Mass in B Minor, St Matthew Passion (complete) and parts of the Christmas Oratorio.

There are also four orchestral concerts, a singers workshop, a festival lecture and a workshop for the under 16s.

The Chantry Singers is a Bath choir acclaimed for its high musical and technical ability.

Further information about the festival, which runs from October 21-28, can be found on the internet atwww.chantry-singers.org.uk.

For a free brochure, call (01225) 862159. Box office: (01225) 463362.