Artistic director Noel Edison presides over the fest’s 29th season and leads the Elora Festival Singers, the Elora Festival Orchestra and other musicians, stepping aside now and then for performances by distinguished visiting guests. Five series—classical, popular and jazz, choral, chamber, and one devoted to emerging artists—cover an impressive range of repertoire, with the historic town mill as a charming backdrop.

A Celebration of Ralph Vaughan Williams. The 50th anniversary of the great British composer’s death is marked with a series of three concerts under the direction of James Mason, with spoken commentary by Jef Ten Kortenaar. Mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber stars in the first concert, Early Influences, with music by Vaughan Williams, Max Bruch, Frederick Delius and Maurice Ravel. For the Vaughan Williams’ London program, audiences will be treated to works by the composer, Benjamin Britten and Gustav Holst. The finale showcases vocal works by Vaughan Williams, in settings of texts by A. E. Housman, William Blake and Shakespeare. July 17, 24 and 31. $35. Knox Presbyterian Church, 55 Church St. E.

André Laplante. The celebrated Quebec pianist plays a recital program that includes Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne in F Major, op. 15, no. 2, and Fantasy in F Minor/A-Flat Major, op. 49; as well as Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor for Piano, S. 178, and excerpts from his Années de pèlerinage. July 18. $38. The Gambrel Barn, Wellington Rd. 21.

Choir of Trinity College Cambridge. Under director Stephen Layton, one of England’s most illustrious choral ensembles performs a couple of concerts and takes part in a conductors’ workshop (July 26, $15; St. John’s Church, Henderson St. and Smith St.) as part of its first Canadian tour. Included in the program are works by Britten, William Walton, Henry Purcell and Hubert Parry. The finale, dubbed Double Double, brings together the British group and the Elora Festival Singers for a menu of music for double chorus. A highlight will be Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G Minor. July 25 and 27. $38. The Gambrel Barn, Wellington Rd. 21.

Die schöne Müllerin. Tenor Colin Ains­worth sings Franz Schubert’s delightful and moving song cycle Die schöne Müllerin, op. 25, based on poems by Wilhelm Müller, which tells the story of a young man’s rustic life and his unrequited love for a beautiful miller’s daughter. Pianist James Bourne accompanies. July 19. $35. St. John’s Church, Henderson St. and Smith St.

Handel's Solomon. George Frideric Handel’s poignant 1748 oratorio is given the gala treatment as it leads off this year’s fest with performances by soprano Karina Gauvin, countertenor Robin Blaze, tenor Lawrence Williford and baritone James Westman, as well as the Elora Festival Singers and Orchestra. July 11. $65. The Gambrel Barn, Wellington Rd. 21.

Kiri Te Kanawa. The Elora Festival is the only local stop this summer on Dame Kiri’s farewell tour, winding down an impressive career that dates back to 1969. She shows off her luscious soprano in a recital with her accompanist, pianist Brian Zeger. July 13. $45–$90. The Gambrel Barn, Wellington Rd. 21.

Triple Forte. Violinist Jasper Wood, cellist Yegor Dyachkov and pianist David Jalbert perform Beethoven’s Trio in E-flat Major, op. 70, no. 2; Canadian Kelly-Marie Murphy’s Give Me Phoenix Wings to Fly; and Ravel’s Trio. July 13. $35. St. John’s Church, Henderson St. and Smith St.

Vivaldi and his Secret Bride. Montreal’s Ensemble Caprice pays a visit to re-enact a mysterious facet of 18th-century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi’s life, namely his relationship with a particular soprano who was frequently cast in his operas. (Rumours spread at the time that she was his secret bride or live-in lover.) Soprano Marie Magistry appears as soloist, in performances of music by Vivaldi, Handel, Antonio Caldara and Johann Sebastian Bach. July 27. $35. St. John’s Church, Henderson St. and Smith St.—Rick MacMillan