Daniel Koek and Natasha Marsh to top the bill at the first York Proms in July

The picnic concert of music from stage and screen is the brainchild of York husband and wife Jonathan and Rebecca Fewtrell, soprano Rebecca being better known under her professional name of Rebecca Newman.

A familiar face in York after a decade of city-centre busking and concert performances, she went on to top the classical album chart with Dare To Dream, leading to tours with Russell Watson and Alfie Boe and appearance on national television and radio. "I'll be performing on the day but I'll be taking a smaller role due to the imminent arrival of our first baby this August," Rebecca reveals.

Welsh soprano Natasha Marsh

Australian tenor headliner Daniel Koek has been performing as a leading man on the West End stage for several years. "He became the youngest ever actor to play Jean Valjean, in Les Miserables, and has worked alongside big names like Josh Groban, Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis," says Rebecca.

Welsh soprano Natasha Marsh studied at the Royal College of Music, in London, and has since pursued a career in opera. Her debut album, Amour, reached number one in the classical chart in 2007 and she recorded Mozart's Queen Of The Night aria from The Magic Flute as the theme to ITV's coverage of UEFA European Championship in 2008. She has toured with Il Divo, Paul Potts and Russell Watson, as well as performing operatic roles in Carmen and Don Giovanni.

Liverpool mezzo-soprano Danielle Thomas will be in the line-up too. "Danielle first appeared on TV at the tender age of 11, when she performed on Songs Of Praise with Rick Wakeman and last year she sang Abide With Me at the Hillsborough vigil in Liverpool to a crowd of thousands," says Rebecca.

York soprano Rebecca Newman

The singers will be accompanied by musicians from the London Studio Players, conducted by Stephen Bell, who works regularly with British symphony orchestras, such as the London Gala Orchestra.

The York Proms programme will combine well-known classical works and songs from the shows with film music and "the standard proms pieces", such as Rule Britannia, and will conclude with a firework finale at dusk. Those attending are encouraged to bring picnics but ticket holders can pre-order hampers at yorkproms.com. "There'll be catering on site too, from pie and mash to Pimm's and Prosecco," says Rebecca.

Standard adult tickets are available at the reduced price of £35 until July 1. "Please note, tickets can only be bought in advance and will not be sold on the gate on the day," says Rebecca. "There's also a family ticket, priced at £90, child tickets for £16, and wheelchair users get a free carer ticket. You can find out more via the website or by calling 08453 881881 to book over the phone."

Gates will open shortly after 5pm, ready for the concert from 7.30pm. Audience members are welcome to bring fold-up chairs and picnic blankets, but tables, gazebos, wind breakers and barbecues are not permitted. VIP tickets have sold out already, by the way.