A WORLD-renowned cellist whose mother is one of the last known survivors of the women’s orchestra at Auschwitz is heading for St Asaph.

London-born Raphael Wallfisch will be one of the stars at the North Wales International Music Festival at the city's cathedral, with a concert on Saturday, September 29 at 7.30pm.

Wallfisch was born into a family of distinguished musicians. His father, Peter, is an acclaimed concert pianist and his 93-year-old mother, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, also a cellist, was forced into playing in the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz.

He is married to Australian baroque violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch, while his son, Benjamin, is a conductor and composer working in Hollywood, who has written scores for film blockbusters including Blade Runner.

His second son, Simon is a baritone, cellist and comedian and his daughter, Joanna, is an accomplished jazz singer-songwriter who has just performed at the Edinburgh Festival.

Wallfisch said: “I’m looking forward to appearing at the North Wales International Music Festival and will be performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

“I’m also looking forward to playing with the festival’s resident orchestra, NEW Sinfonia.

"It is going to be a wonderful evening of music.”

The festival’s artistic director, Ann Atkinson, said: “Raphael is one of the world’s leading cellists and we are so lucky to have the chance to hear him perform.

"For any lover of classical music this is an opportunity not to be missed.”

There will also be an additional performance from the festival’s Smile, Smile, Smile project students, featuring A Veiled Smile, written by Jonathan Guy as a new twist on the wartime song, Pack up your Troubles – which was written by St Asaph-born George and Felix Powell.

Tickets range from £15 to £25 and are available from nwimf.com, from Cathedral Frames on St Asaph High Street or by telephoning 01745 582929.