SALISBURY’S renowned soprano Lynsey Docherty is the inspiration behind a new festival celebrating the magic of the human voice.

Celebrate Voice, will be a seven-day singing extravaganza, which will feature the UK’s top professional folk, jazz and opera singers in an array of concerts and events.

Docherty’s ambitious target is to turn the city of Salisbury into the biggest singing city in the UK.

People of all ages will have the chance to get involved in Celebrate Voice with concerts being held at Order of St John care homes across the city and performances by children at Gomeldon and Winterbourne Earls Primary School who are working with festival organisers to create their own versions of Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. During the festival Dame Josephine Barstow, one of Britain’s leading sopranos, will be in conversation with BBC Radio 3 presenter and festival patron, James Jolly, discussing her life and career.

The event takes place at the Medieval Hall, in the Cathedral Close at 6pm on October 28.

Docherty herself will take to the stage in a production of Die Fledermaus on October 27 and 30 and Saturday, November 1, also at the Medieval Hall.

Sung in English, this comic tale of flirtation, jealousy and mistaken identity will bring together some of the country’s leading opera talents under the musical direction of Phillip Thomas.

Thomas will play piano at a celebrity recital on October 28 as he accompanies soprano Rachel Nicholls. Nicholls is now widely recognised as one of the most exciting dramatic sopranos of her generation and her performance will include Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder and songs by Strauss, Duparc, Britten and Quilter.

Aside from the busy opera programme, Celebrate Voice includes folk and jazz nights.

On Wednesday, October 29 the award-winning Sam Lee and Friends will be appearing in the Medieval Hall showcasing their popular folk sound which reflects Gypsy and traveller cultures.

And the jazz night on Friday, October 31 features a performance by MOBO nominated singer Natalie Williams who has appeared at festivals across the world and is currently working on a new project with Jamie Cullum.

There will be appearances by local stars too with Susan MacKenzie-Park and Simon McEnery due to perform a lunchtime concert on Friday, October 31.

Celebrate Voice aims to make fine music available to everyone and people are being invited to sign up for the free Sing City flashmob on October 29 at 1pm.

This community celebration in song will see families, local choirs, youth groups and businesses joining together for a good old sing-song.

There will also be special family performances and schools’ activities throughout the week and a Grand Finale on Sunday, November 2 at Sarum Academy’s concert hall led by director and composer Howard Moody.

Docherty said: “Salisbury is the perfect venue for Celebrate Voice. We want to create a magical experience with appeal to all ages. We want our city to echo to the sound of the human voice through the joy of music and laughter.”

Tickets to all Celebrate Voice events are available through the Salisbury Playhouse box office or at salisburyplayhouse.co.uk. Visit celebratevoice.co.uk for further details. The festival runs from October 27 to November 2.