The festival will bring fine music to Hepburn Shire at the town halls of Castlemaine, Clunes and Daylesford and town churches.

Festival publicity officer Brenda Hunter said audiences would enjoy 24-hour recitals and the opportunity to relax and explore the many attractions of the region.

"They will share picnics, barbecues and pasta meals cooked by festival director Sergio de Pieri," Mrs Hunter said.

Mrs Hunter said to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, the Festival Orchestra would play the ever-popular Flute and Harp Concerto with international soloists Elizabetta Ghebbioni and Andrea Dainese.

She said Mozart Chamber Works would be played by Genevieve Lacey and members of the Flinders Quartet.

Other highlights include La Compania with instrumental canzonas, dances and improvisations from early 17th century Italy, Shepherd on the Rock chamber recital with Louisa Hunter-Bradley, Phillip Miechel, Brian Chapman,

Harmonie Universelle - the French Baroque with Laura Vaughan and Jacqueline Ogeil and German saxophone players Saxofourte. Aria winners Genevieve Lacey and Karin Schaupp will present an entertaining program of music

from 17th century Telemann to 20th century Piazzolla.

The festival opens at St Patrick's Cathedral on Friday, January 13, at 8pm.

It will visit Castlemaine on Wednesday, January 18; Clunes on Saturday, January 21, and Daylesford on Monday, January 16.

For program inquiries contact 5333 1195. For booking inquiries contact 0429 327 097.

Details of the full program are available on the website www.ballarat.com/organs