THE world's best-loved music from from North and South America, Russia, Europe and from Britain will be heard at St David's Hall this summer in the Welsh Proms.

Under the baton of Welsh Proms' artistic director Owain Arwel Hughes, the season features seven evening orchestral concerts with four of the UK's finest orchestras and leading soloists from around the world.

The season opens on July 17 with Gala Prom. Pianist Noriko Ogawa joins the Royal Philamonic Orchestra for a rousing Russian start to the season with works by Glinka, Rachmaniov and Tchaikovsky's symphony No.6 (Pathetique).

The New World Prom, on July 18, features pianist Martin Roscoe and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a musical celbration of the American spirit. From the new world, this is a star-spangled evening of favourites.

Four massed choirs join soprano Rebecca Evans, tenor Aled Hall, baritone Jeremy Carpenter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for European Choral Prom (July 19) in a spine-tingling performance of Orff's Carmina Burana.

One of the highlights of the season is Opera Prom, on July 22. Paul Daniel, (pictured), music director of English National Opera, conducts the Philhamonia Orchestra with soloists Joan Rodgers (soprano), Susan Parry (mezzo soprano) and John Daszak (tenor) in an evening of highlights from operas including Carmen, Eugene Onegin, Samson et Dalila, plus many more.

Britain's finest composers are featured in Best of British Proms, on July 23, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Romantic Prom, on July 25, features the rising young violinist Chloe Hanslip perfoming Bruch's Violin Concerto. The Royal Liverpool Philaharmonic Orchestra also includes Beehoven's Overture.

The last night of the Welsh Proms, July 26, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cory band, promises a flag-waving finale to the season with traditional hymns, songs and marches.

Daytime music lovers will also want to book for the Lunchtime Proms (at 1pm) on July 18 with saxophone quartet kintarmarni; on July 24 for the amigos trumpet trio, and on July 26 for the Welsh Symphonic Brass Ensemble.

Music for all the family can be heard at the Children's Prom, on July 19, with special guest narrator Aled Jones, for a magical concert.

The music continues into the night with Latin-Amercan Prom, with Victor Hugo La Bands's spicy salsa beat on July 20, and Jazz Prom on July 24, both at 8pm. Full details are available fromwww.welshproms.co.uk

Tickets for all the concerts are on sale from St David's Hall box office on 029 2087 8444 starting at £5 (promenders) and £8.50 (seated) for evening orchestral concerts.