Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and local classical guitar hero Richard Durrant lead an exciting line-up of soloists for the Philharmonic's new season.

Back in the Dome for its first full season since the hall's three-year closure, the BPO has fixed up a parade of top European talent to revel in the building's responsive new acoustics.

The season has nine Sunday matinees and two Saturday evening concerts. The first Sunday is headed by the Leeds 2000 finalist, Davide Franceschetti, performing the Grieg Piano Concerto.

In October, Geneva-based Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner plays Rachmaninov's challenging Third Concerto.

Pianists in the New Year will include Philip Fowke, Jonathan Plowright and Steven Osborne. Distinguished Austrian violinist Ernst Kovacio makes his first appearance at the Dome with the Brahms Violin Concerto and Julian Lloyd Webber gives his incomparable interpretation of Elgar's Cello Concerto.

Next February, the BPO vacates the Dome for a Saturday evening to make way for a guest appearance by the choir of King's College, Cambridge, to be backed by the refurbished Dome organ.

Among the orchestral highlights will be a performance of Walton's First Symphony and the world premiere of Peter Copley's A City Awakes, a major new symphonic work from the Brighton-based composer who has already been acclaimed for his concertos.

The BPO's general manager, Tony Woodhouse, who leaves the society next month, says: "It is wonderful to be back in the Dome, especially with its new acoustics. Now everyone can hear the orchestra equally well and, with the greater reverberation, we can get a warmer, richer sound.

"Although the Dome's closure did not hurt us artistically, many people couldn't get tickets for the smaller venues we had to use. Our challenge is to bring those people back and recruit new audiences.

"The new season features a host of high-calibre soloists, some of whom are based abroad and are working with us for the first time.

"Richard Durrant will be working with us again, this time on his 40th birthday when he will treat the audience with a performance of Rodrigo's Concierto De Aranjuez. Peter Copley's new work is a full symphonic work in one movement and explores the dawn of a new city, the growing bustle during the day and the coming of nightfall.

"The Saturday evening concert by the King's College Choir is an innovation. I do not think we have ever promoted a choir before.

"It's going to be a great evening."

The BPO's new season begins on Sunday, September 29. Tickets for all 12 concerts are available from the Dome box office on 01273 709709. Call 01273 622900 for a brochure or visit www.brightonphil.org.uk