A “RECESSION-PROOF” Ryedale Festival is set to be launched next week, with organisers slashing admission prices and offering free tickets to under-18s.

Festival organisers have brought in a range of lower-cost tickets as well as the free tickets for the launch concert, with seats which last year would have cost £15, now priced at £8.

The concert, which will take place at Ampleforth Abbey on Saturday, April 18, will feature Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Vivaldi’s Magnificat, Monteverdi’s Gloria and Cavalli’s Salve Regina.

The Da Chiesa Baroque Ensemble, under the direction of Justin Doyle, will be making their third successive Ryedale Festival appearance in succession that night.

Festival chairman Ken Overton said: “It’s lively, fast and fresh and anyone who likes the Messiah will love Dixit Dominus. Handel is one of the greatest composers who ever lived.

“He was born in Germany but given English citizenship in 1727 – he died in April 250 years ago, which is why we are celebrating his genius now.”

Mr Overton said that if the new ticket price structure for the concert was successful, it would be extended to the festival itself, which is a celebration of “the best in music”. The festival will run from July 17 to August 2.

Full details of the festival programme are set to be revealed at the concert, which will start at 7.30pm.

Mr Overton said: “We have invested in an even higher-quality programme.

“Some tickets will still be at the top end but people will be able to opt to go to more concerts than before and still spend less.”

Organisers say the new price structure is part of a bid to “attract the core audience while offering something very different for young people as well as to many more of all ages.”

Mr Overton said: “Our aim is to recession-proof the Ryedale Festival while making it better than ever with a fantastic programme.”

The free tickets are available from Hoppers, Malton, and Pickering Tourist Information Centre. A free bus will be running to Ampleforth for under 18s, at 6.30pm from the Milton Rooms, Malton, and at the same time from East Gate car park, Pickering. Tickets cost £3 return for other passengers. To buy tickets for the concert, phone Pickering Memorial Hall, on 01751 475777.