EARLY music tops and tails the autumn season at the National Centre for Early Music, York, in a programme that also shakes hands warmly with jazz, folk and world music.

Eroticism - and steamed up glasses, judging by the picture - comes to the NCEM in St Margaret's Church, Walmgate, on October 8 when I Fagiolini presents the wittily titled The Full Monteverdi. Directed by English National Opera/Operatunity director John La Bouchardier, this night of Renaissance music explores the relationship of six couples, from suspicion, to eroticism, to break-up.

The York Early Music Christmas Festival will run from December 9 to 13, at the NCEM and across the city. Names confirmed so far are Emma Kirkby, the European Baroque Orchestra, Sophie Yates and the Ebor Singers.

The classical centrepiece will be the world premiere of Nicola LeFanu's chamber opera, Light Passing, commissioned by BBC Radio 3, on October 28 to 30.

The opera showcases baritone Nicholas Folwell as Pope Clement IV, along with harpist Lucy Wakeford, percussionist Damien Harron and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's contemporary Ensemble 10/10, and the score marries new LeFanu music with 14th century French pieces.

The NCEM's World Sound programme comprises Jewish, Arabic, Polish and Indian music this season.

Qanun player Abdullah Chhadeh returns with zither player Andrew Cronshaw in Cry In The Silence, an exploration of Arabic melodies and rhythm alongside Western music, on October 12. Bireshwar Gautam sings and dances in the North Indian classical style of Kathak on October 23; the young Warsaw Village Band, from Poland, combine folk and world music on November 2; and Lucie Skeaping and The Burning Bush take a seductive journey through Jewish music on December 12.

In a new partnership, the NCEM links with jazz promoter David Porter to provide a regular monthly venue for his J-Night series of concerts in York. Stan Sulzmann showcases his new album, The Jigsaw, on October 2; Brazil's most influential jazz band, Azymuth, play York on their 30th anniversary tour on November 12; and New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Abram Wilson leads his sextet's blend of hip-hop and jazz on December 3.

The fruitful union with the Black Swan Folk Club continues with NCEM shows by Pentangle's John Renbourn & Jacqui McShee, October 5; acoustic guitarist Martin Simpson, October 19; and traditional Scottish five-piece The Tannahill Weavers, December 6. The NCEM has booked Steve Knightley and Phil Beer's Show Of Hands for November 19.

The Music for Young Music Makers programme presents The Classic Buskers, playing pink and yellow accordions, and the Minster Minstrels, in their Young Minstrels' Guide To The Orchestra, both on December 11.

To book tickets, ring 01904 658338 or visit the website www.ncem.co.uk.

Updated: 16:06 Thursday, September 16, 2004