ONE of Britain’s biggest celebrations of classical music returns to Oxford today.

The Oxford Lieder Festival, now in its ninth year, runs until October 30.

Hundreds of people from across Europe are expected to descend on the city to enjoy their Strauss, Schubert and Schumann.

Artistic director Sholto Kynoch said: “Oxford is the perfect city in which to do something like this.

“There’s something for absolutely everybody to get involved with.

“The genre is not inaccessible and elitist, it should be the most attractive and open form of music.”

The event begins with a celebration of Schumann at the Holywell Music Room in Holywell Street.

It will celebrate the 200th birthday of the composer with a recital of his Kerner Lieder.

Mr Kynoch said: “The Holywell Music Room is a real gem, because it’s so intimate and it’s an ideal setting for such expressive works.”

One performer taking part in the festivities will be Daniel Norman, a tenor from Oxford.

He said: “This is the third time I will be performing in the Lieder Festival and it is always a pleasure.

“It is a fantastic event which is really becoming respected in the international classical music scene.

“It really draws the crowds in.”

A total of 37 events, workshops and concerts will be taking place across the city over the next fortnight.

Non-professional singers are also being given the chance to “bring and sing” a musical piece of their own choice to the Holywell Music Room on Saturday, October 23.

Mr Norman said: “People think this kind of music is intellectual, but it’s not really.

“No-one should be scared to come the concerts or thinking it is not for them. If they are prepared to listen to the music, there is no reason why everyone can’t enjoy what classical music has to offer.”

Tickets are available by calling 01865 305305.