Stars from the worlds of classical, jazz, world music and opera will be flooding into the hall at Brandon Hill from September.

The autumn season is even starting almost a month earlier than usual - in order to fit in some 57 concerts and performances before Christmas.

The first concert, on Thursday September 19th, is a bit of a coup for Bristol, as world-famous composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto performs a UK premiere and the only date outside London on his world tour.

The maestro, most popularly known as the soundtrack composer for the films Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and The Last Emperor, will team up with Brazilian musicians Jaques and Paula Morlenbaum.

For the first time in his career he performs music by another composer, the Brazilian creator of bossa nova Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Late Notes

The concert forms part of St George's Late Notes series - music which begins at a slightly more relaxed time of the evening.

The series continues with folk singer June Tabor, leading Irish band Alktan, Brad Mehldau, a bright new star on the instrumental jazz scene and singer/songwriter John Renbourne.

Late Notes will also feature a double bill from British saxophonist Iain Bellamy, both with his band Food and Esbjorn Svensson Trio from Sweden.

Classical music

Classical artists due to appear at St George's include four leading international pianists, Stephen Kovacevich, Piotr Andeszewski, Radu Lupu and Angela Hewitt, who will be fronting a special Beethoven series.

Another classical highlight is a concert by star soprano Barbara Bonney who will perform Schubert, Brahms and Haydn, along with some popular songs from the Viennese Operetta.

Meanwhile major orchestras coming to Brandon Hill include the European Union Chamber Orchestra, the Southbank Sinfonia and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.

Opera

Those eager for their regular helping of opera are amply catered for this season, with the Pimlico Opera group bringing Verdi's La Traviata to Bristol, with stunning designs by Deidre Clancy.

Vocal group I Fagiolini will also be coming to Bristol to use the candlelit stage as a backdrop for a performance of music written for Queen Elizabeth I and II.

The performance will be interwoven with extracts from Shakespeare, Milton, Ben Johnson and John Betjeman read by Archers star Carole Boyde who plays the radio-soap's Lynda Snell.

Radio

And talking of radio - the autumn season also sees the return of the popular live BBC Radio 3 Thursday lunchtime broadcasts, presented by Chris de Souza.

The BBC will be presenting a series of five concerts from St George's including a return visit by the Micallef-Ianga Piano Duo.

Other treats this season include Bach's astonishing Art of Fugue performed on two harpsichords and Bristol favourites pianists Allan Schiller and Mark Tanner.

All-in-all an action-packed autumn in store at St George's.

And remember you can keep up with what's happening at St George's with our monthly listings guide, along with previews and reviews of the shows here on Going Out.