BISHOP Auckland Music Society is to open this year's season with a trio of internationally acclaimed musicians.

The Kungsbacka Piano Trio, which takes its name from an area of Sweden where the artists gave their first performance in 1997, will be playing in the Throne Room at Auckland Castle, home of the Bishop of Durham, on April 19, at 7.15pm.

The group, consisting of Malin Broma on violin, Jesper Svedberg on cello and Simon Crawford-Phillips, have performed around the world and have won numerous prizes, including the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and the prize for most outstanding ensemble at the Mecklenburg Festival, in Germany. The piano trio were also selected by BBC Radio Three to take part in its New Generation Artists scheme.

For tickets or information, contact music society treasurer Peter Cooper on 0191- 386 8622.