Programme announced for Manchester International Festival

The programme has been announced for the 2015 Manchester International Festival, which runs from 2 to 19 July.

Included in the line up this year are Gerhard Richter, Björk, Maxine Peake and, as previously announced, a new musical Wonder.land from Damon Albarn, Rufus Norris and Moira Buffini.

Peake and director Sarah Frankcom return to MIF with The Skriker at the Royal Exchange, a revival of Caryl Churchill's play featuring specially commissioned music by Nico Muhly and Antony.

Elsewhere, choreographer Wayne McGregor is creating Tree of Codes, a contemporary ballet inspired by the book by Jonathan Safran Foer, with a score composed by Mercury Prize-winner Jamie xx.

Actress Charlotte Rampling and pianist Helene Grimaud will perform Neck of the Woods, a "portrait of the wolf brought to life in a startling collision of visual art, music and theatre."

Comedy producers The Invisible Dot will curate a programme in the Pavilion Theatre at Festival Square, which includes the world premiere of The Crocodile, a " deft satire" by Tom Basden.

And Björk returns to MIF for a one-off gig at Manchester’s Castlefield Arena.

Outgoing festival director Alex Poots said: "For our fifth Festival, in our tenth year, we remain committed to working with some of the world’s greatest artists, supporting them to make their most ambitious and best work."

Check back soon for more from today's launch. To view the full programme visit mif.co.uk or to become a member and get priority booking click here