THE PENfro Book Festival at Rhosygilwen opens with a fantastic concert on the Thursday evening, September 12.

This year the festival runs over four days – Thursday evening to Sunday – with a whole range of events.

Having had rave reviews up and down the country and been featured on BBC Radio 3, the ‘Hungarian Dances: Concert of the Novel’ is a unique experience.

The concert features Jessica Duchen, who will read extracts from her acclaimed novel and international bestseller, ‘Hungarian Dances’ - accompanied by the Hungarian and Gypsy-influenced violin music that inspired it.

‘Hungarian Dances’ follows the turbulent story of Mimi, a Gypsy girl, who is determined to play the violin, in defiance of family traditions. She becomes a classical virtuoso, but at a terrible personal price. In the concert Jessica’s narrative is richly interwoven with music by Dohnányi, Debussy, Brahms, Bartók and Ravel's Tzigane, among others – and some dazzling pieces in Gypsy style.

Alternating narration and music, this emotional roller-coaster traverses 90 years, richly illustrated with music of irresistible beauty that blurs the boundaries between the classical and Gypsy styles.

Accompanying Jessica is violinist David Le Page, who is the leader of the Orchestra of the Swan, Stratford-upon-Avon, and of the Adderbury Ensemble. He trained at the Yehudi Menuhin School and in Bern with Igor Ozim and Sidney Griller. He was a prizewinner in BBC Young Musician of the Year and the Yehudi Menuhin Competition and is described as ‘playing the living daylights out of this repertoire.’

And with him is Anthony Hewitt who won top prize at the William Kapell International Piano Competition in 1992 and studied at the Menuhin School, the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and the Franz Liszt Academy, Budapest. He is artistic director of the Ulverston International Music Festival, Cumbria.?

Jessica Duchen herself writes about music for The Independent and is the author of four novels, two biographies and a number of stage works mingling words and music. She will introduce the concert with a talk; and a pre-show meal is also available, by calling Rhosygilwen on 01239 841387. Full details about the concert on the PENfro website: penfrobookfestival.org.uk