The Brighton Early Music Festival has made a name for itself by offering a quirky, mixed programme which appeals to classical, jazz, world and folk music lovers alike.

Building on its autumn programme and short Christmas season, this March sees the festival's first-ever spring programme, with a performance of magnificent Renaissance vocal music by one of the country's best-loved early music groups, The Tallis Scholars.

The scholars have performed in Brighton twice before, to capacity audiences. This time around, the concert, From Rome To Madrid, will highlight the two principal composers of sacred music from Spain and Italy during the 16th Century: Victoria and Palestrina.

Victoria's Requiem, written for the funeral of the sister of King Philip II of Spain, is his last work and crowning glory.

The rest of the programme features music associated with Rome and the Sistine Chapel.

This includes Allegri Miserere - a legendary piece of music in early music circles and featuring a famous top C - which was reputed to have been the sole property of the Sistine Chapel.

Rumour has it that to perform it outside of the Sistine chapel was punishable by excommunication. This could be interesting, as the top part will be sung by soprano Deborah Roberts, the co-artistic director of the early music festival.

Another legend about the piece says Mozart, on hearing the music during a visit to Rome, wrote it out from memory on the inside of his hat.

The spring programme continues two weeks later (Sat, March 25, 7.30pm), at St George's Church, Kemp Town, with a fundraising concert for the 2006 main festival (September 30- October 29).

This event will include an appearance by the Sussex-based ensemble Red Priest, as well as a sneak preview of some of the artists in the 2006 festival. The second half will comprise a performance by the festival singers and baroque players of Mozart's Requiem, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth.

"The spring events are all part of the Brighton Early Music Festival's plans for world domination," says co-artistic director, Clare Norburn.

"But our plans are not really that threatening - we just want to bring top quality music all year round to the south coast."

Starts at 7.30pm, tickets cost £6-£25. Call 01273 7090709 or visit the website at www.bremf.org.uk