Umbilical Chords

caption: A classical orchestra is getting an audience hooked while it's young - with a series of concerts only for babies still in their mum's wombs.

A classical orchestra is getting an audience hooked while it's young - with a series of concerts only for babies still in their mum's wombs.

Switzerland's Zurich Chamber Orchestra is giving a series of sell-out shows - dubbed the Ultrasound Concerts - aimed at soothing the unborn tots with classics from Mozart, Beethoven and Benjamin Britten.

Some experts say that unborn babies respond to the sound of music and that classical tunes in particular can even boost a baby's intelligence.

Orchestra spokeswoman Linda Schuermann,said: "Only pregnant women are invited."

"We don't use any special amplification but the music is chosen for its potential to appeal to the unborn child," she added.

Other shows include classical performances for toddlers, new born babies and older children.