INTERNATIONALLY- acclaimed tenor Mark Padmore will have a special person in the audience when he performs in his home area of Ryedale - his proud dad.

The star is taking time out from an acclaimed season at Glyndebourne to fit in a celebrity recital at Settrington House tonight as part of the ongoing Ryedale Festival.

His father, Peter, of Kirkbymoorside, will be on hand to hear Mark's performance, having already been to see him in Vienna, Salzburg and Berlin.

"I've taken my holiday in places where he has performed," said Peter.

"I'm very proud of him - it's extremely difficult at concerts not to say to people around me that Mark is my son.

"He has a reputation as a top class tenor in this country and on the Continent, as well as gaining recognition in America and Japan."

Mark, who has been singing since he was 11 and is now regarded by many as the nation's most significant tenor, has recorded ten albums and performed at the world's most prestigious venues in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Milan, Moscow, New York and Paris. He will be performing Winterreise, Schubert's powerful portrayal of a journey haunted by love and death, at 8pm in the Riding School, at Settrington House. Full details of the festival are available on www.ryedalefestival.co.uk. Tickets can be obtained from the box office on 01751 475777.