Worcester

Elgar Festival in the Heart of ‘Elgar Country’ – 23 to 31 May 2026

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ELGAR FESTIVAL – 23 – 31 May 2026

Worcester, Malvern and Pershore – the Heart of ‘Elgar Country’

TICKETS ON SALE NOW if you CLICK HERE

Set against the iconic backdrop of ‘Elgar Country’, the Elgar Festival is a highlight of the West Midlands cultural calendar, this year taking place across the scenic destinations of Worcester, Malvern, and Pershore from 23 – 31 May 2026. The festival celebrates the enduring legacy of Worcester-born composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), through a diverse programme featuring world-class artists and accessible performing experiences, talks, exhibitions and guided walks designed to attract the broadest audience.

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2025 Elgar Festival – 24 May to 1 June

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‘Celebrate with Elgar’ in Worcester and Malvern – the Heart of Elgar Country
24 May to 1 June 2025

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Ian Venables: Featured Composer at the 2025 Elgar Festival © Michael Whitefoot

Ian Venables is celebrated as Featured Composer in this his 70th year at the 2025 Elgar Festival; 24 May – 1 June in Worcester and Malvern; the annual celebration of Sir Edward Elgar’s music and with whom he shares both a home and the inspirational landscape of Worcestershire. Symphonic and ensemble concerts are given by the Festival’s orchestra-in-residence, the English Symphony Orchestra under Principal Conductor and Festival Artistic Director, Kenneth Woods. World-renowned guest artists taking part include Raphael Wallfisch, Gareth Brynmor John, April Fredrick, Simon Callaghan and David Briggs. Tickets are now on sale.

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The Three Choirs Festival ends with an exceptional performance of The Kingdom

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [7] – Elgar: Anita Watson (The Blessed Virgin – soprano), Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (Mary Magdalene), Toby Spence (St John), Alex Jones (St Peter), Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington (conductor). Worcester Cathedral, 3.8.2024. (JQ)

Adrian Partington conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra © Michael Whitefoot

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Interesting and challenging works by McDowall and Venables for the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [6] – McDowall, Stanford (arr. Dibble), Venables: Ben Cooper (narrator), Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir; Jonathan Hope (organ), Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington (conductor) Worcester Cathedral 2.8.2024. (JQ)

Adrian Partington conducts the Three Choirs Festival Youth Choir and the Philharmonia Orchestra

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Sofi Jeannin conducts a challenging, rewarding, superbly performed Three Choirs Festival concert

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [4] – Arakelyan, Britten/Lapwood, Poulenc, Weir: Mark Padmore (tenor), Charles Gibbs (narrator), Anna Lapwood, Nicholas Freestone (organ), BBC Singers, Philharmonia Orchestra Ensemble / Sofi Jeannin (conductor). Worcester Cathedral 30.7.2024. (JQ)

Anna Lapwood © Dale Hodgetts

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The UK premiere of Snider’s Mass for the Endangered at the Three Choirs Festival

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [3] – Biles-Liddell, Weir, Elgar, Snider: Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Samuel Hudson (conductor). Worcester Cathedral, 29.7.2024. (JQ)

Samuel Hudson conducts the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and the Philharmonia © Dale Hodgetts

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