Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare's sonnets are to be set to music by contemporary artists in a festival that marks the first time his complete works will be performed.

In an attempt to attract a new audience, the Nothing Like The Sun project will be curated by Gavin Bryars, one of the world's leading contemporary composers. Musicians confirmed so far include singer Natalie Merchant and violinist Alexander Balanescu.

American singer Merchant, 42, first rose to fame as lead singer of folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs but has enjoyed greater success as a solo singer.

She has also collaborated with REM, Billy Bragg and the Chieftains.

The music will form part of the Complete Works Festival unveiled in full today, which marks the first time all 37 plays, sonnets and poems will be performed.

Highlights will include Star Trek's Patrick Stewart starring in both The Tempest and Antony And Cleopatra, and Dame Judi Dench appearing in a musical version of The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

The RSC also confirmed that its founder, Sir Peter Hall, returns to the company after 11 years with a new production of Measure For Measure and that the final play will be King Lear, directed by Sir Trevor Nunn and starring Sir Ian McKellen in the role for the first time.

The festival takes place in Stratford-upon-Avon but some productions, such as King Lear and The Merry Wives of Windsor, are likely to transfer to the West End.

In addition to the RSC plays, which include Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing and Julius Caesar, 17 productions will be from overseas visiting companies.

These include Titus Andronicus in Japanese and Macbeth in Polish.

The RSC stated that its "full programme of events and activities planned for the year is designed to appeal to theatre and nontheatre goers".

The company is launching the festival on Shakespeare's birthday, 23 April, with events including Montague vs Capulet football match and a debate, with Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury discussing " Shakespeare and The Creative Imagination".

There will be four new plays inspired by Shakespeare including Days of Significance by Roy Williams and Regime Change by Peter Straughan.