The Burford Singers’ autumn concert is a remarkable double bill that offers audience a rare opportunity to hear a Pleyel double piano in action.

Renowned pianists David Nettle and Richard Markham will be joining the singers on Sunday for Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, using the original scoring for double piano and harmonium (to be played by the choir’s rehearsal accompanist, Julian Elloway). Alongside this will be the world premiere of Nettle and Markham’s arrangement of Rossini’s William Tell overture, transcribed for double piano and harmonium.

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome the partnership of Nettle and Markham back to Burford,” conductor Brian Kay said. “They played with the singers in Carmina Burana and the Brahms Requiem. The double-piano and the world premiere this time are an added bonus — lucky us!”

The double piano was created by Parisian specialists Pleyel in 1890 and became a favourite with Chopin, Grieg, Debussy, Saint-Saens and Stravinsky. Nettle and Markham’s piano dates from the 1920s and was once at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Nettle and Markham bought it in Paris in 1993, and believe it is one of only about eight double pianos of this size. It has been restored for the concert by Giller Pianos.

Soloists for Petite Messe Solennelle are Martene Grimshaw (soprano), Stephanie Lewis (mezzo), Ben Thapa (tenor) and Michel de Souza (bass).

Fans of the X-Factor may remember Thapa as a member of classical boy band G4, the 2004 runners-up, who went on to out-sell winner Steve Brookstein.

The Burford Singers are at Burford Parish Church on Sunday. For tickets and enquiries, phone Jan Campbell on 01993 822412.