DUBLIN Guitar Week is expanding. This year's programme, presented by the Instituto Cervantes, is the biggest yet, running to 15 recitals between Friday, February 16th and Sunday 25th. And, with the support of the relevant foreign cultural institutes and embassies the line up will feature performers from Hungary, France, Britain, Italy, and Germany as well as Ireland and, of course, Spain.

Solo events predominate, with lunchtime recitals by Benjamin Dwyer (Friday 16th, in a programme including Steve Reich's Electric Counterpoint along with works by Dwyer himself and Kenneth Edge), Jose Maria Gallardo (in "Falla and his circle" on Saturday 24th) and Reinbert Evers (playing Bach, Takemitsu, Berio and Henze in the Hugh Lane Gallery's Sundays at Noon slot on Sunday 25th). The evening programmes are by Laszlo Dak Sarosi (Saturday 17th, again including work by the performer), John Feeley (playing new works by Michael Howard, Dawn Kenny and Jane O Leary on Monday 19th in a concert which will feature vihuela and baroque guitar), Nicola Paradiso (Wednesday 21st), Rafael Riqueni of Riverdance fame (in a flamenco programme on Friday 23rd) and Alan Grundy (including his own music and work by Donal Hurley Saturday 24th).

The largest ensembles are local the Tirando Guitar Quartet appearing on Saturday 17th and the Trio Cervantes on Thursday 22nd (both at lunchtime, the latter including a piece by James Wilson). Visiting groups include the French Duo Spinosi (Saturday 17th), and the British Eastwood/Kilvington Duo (Sunday 18th). Two of the soloists, Riqueni and Gallardo join forces for a classical/flamenco encounter at the final concert (Sunday 25th), and the two remaining events both also feature duos, the guitar and soprano Traynor/Long Duo (Sunday 18th) and the violin and guitar duo of Francesco D'Orazio and Nicola Paradiso (Wednesday 21st). Full details of the programme can be had from the Instituto Cervantes on 668 2024.