The Three Choirs Festival arrives in Worcester next week with a thrilling new programme for 2024, with a celebration of nature and its enduring influence on composers and musicians at its heart. Taking place from 27 July to 3 August, the festival features a superb selection of works old and new by composers including Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Bob Chilcott and Judith Weir.
There is much on offer for Worcestershire residents wanting to take in the festival atmosphere, with free performances taking place alongside the ticketed concerts. Situated just outside Worcester Cathedral, the Festival Village will be open throughout the week, with no ticket required to enter. There will be the opportunity to listen to local performers on the community bandstand, visit craft exhibitions and enjoy the food and drink on offer from the cafe and bar. Visitors are also encouraged to head into Worcester Cathedral during one of the open rehearsals and get a taste of the festival music for free. Full details of rehearsal times, bandstand performance times and more can be found online at 3choirs.org/your-visit/festival-village
During the week, there will be the chance to hear familiar favourites, including Elgar’s epic The Kingdom, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Holst’s The Hymn of Jesus, alongside several new commissions and the UK premiere of Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered. As well the festival’s own choirs, performers coming to Worcester include the BBC Singers, Anna Lapwood, Francesca Chiejina and orchestra-in-residence the Philharmonia.
Tickets are available through the festival ticket office (01452 768928, Monday-Friday 10am until 4pm) or online at 3choirs.org