PIANIST Emmanuel “Manny” Vass will return to Bolton Abbey next Friday, July 31, to give the final performance in the priory's 2015 concert series.

Manny, the son of a Yorkshire carpenter, played his first public concert at the church in 2012 and is now in the top ten of the UK Classical music chart with his debut album, Sonic Waves.

Described as "one to watch" by The Independent and as a "rising star" by BBC Music Magazine, 26-year-old Manny is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most charismatic pianists on the contemporary scene.

Graduating as a Leverhulme Scholar from the Royal Northern College of Music, he made his first recording, From Bach to Bond, in 2013 and then went on tour, playing at seven venues across the North of England before making his London debut at Steinway Hall.

The programme reflected both his eclectic taste in music and his versatility as a pianist. He combined the challenges of Bach with the demanding techniques required for his own arrangements of the James Bond theme and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Emmanuel’s versatility is also revealed in the calibre and variety of his recent engagements. His busy calendar has included performances at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Sheffield Cathedral, Leeds College of Music, the Long Gallery at Castle Howard and Hexham Abbey.

He has also performed for Lord Levy and the Russian Ambassador in the Golden Room in Kensington Palace Gardens, for the Filipino ambassador at St Sepulchre’s Church, London, and for the French Ambassador at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. At the Variety Club Jubilee Ball he played for the Prince and Princess of Monaco.

To welcome his return to Bolton Abbey Priory Church, local firm Yorkshire Pianos will erect a stage for the grand piano in front of the sanctuary and the concert will start at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased in advance from the Priory Office on 01756 710238 or (unless previously sold out) on the door on the night.