The event, which has a history stretching back to 1715, began as a gathering of professional singers from Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford, the three cities between which the festival rotates. The Philharmonia Orchestra will once again be orchestra in residence, and this year’s programme combines great works from the classical choral repertoire with works from a broader musical spectrum, including a tribute to Olivier Messiaen in the year of the composer’s centenary and celebrations in honour of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Elgar.

The early music contribution opens with the British group Armonico Consort, who on 2 and 3 August will perform two works by Purcell: Dido and Aeneas and The Indian Queen, both at the King’s School Theatre. Another of the festival’s high points will be “Baroque Splendour”, a programme consisting of works by Handel, Garth and Purcell, performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra and the festival chorus on 3 August in the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is also the venue for the concert by the Academy of Ancient Music on 5 August. Directed by Richard Egarr and accompanied by the three cathedral choirs, the orchestra will perform Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Tewkesbury Abbey will be the venue for another of the festival’s star concerts in which the Chamber Choir and Orchestra of Worcester Cathedral will perform Bach’s Cantata 147 and Haydn’s Harmoniemesse.

Bach is also the focus of the concert in the Cathedral on 8 August, when Angela East will perform the cello suites. Other ensembles taking part in the festival include the Kings Singers, Gothic Voices and Red Priest. Next year the festival will be held in Hereford.

For full details see: www.3choirs.org