The West Midland's leading large classical choir will perform a Beethoven masterpiece at Worcester Cathedral.

The concert, organised by Worcester Festival Choral Society (WFCS), will feature Beethoven’s choral composition, Mass in C, and a cantata from award-winning British composer Richard Blackford known as Mirror of Perfection.

The performances will start at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 16.

<hr>

Read more: Queen Camilla coming to Worcester Cathedral for Royal visit

<hr>

The ensemble boasts around 180 performers, including a choir of 140 voices, a 33-piece orchestra and several celebrated soloists.

The soloists have performed for prominent institutions such as The Royal Opera, English Touring Opera and Opera North.

Mass in C, commissioned by a Hungarian prince in 1807, is considered one of Beethoven’s most emotive pieces.

Richard Blackford's cantata, composed in 1996, is set to the poems of St Francis of Assisi.

On top of the concert, attendees are also invited to a pre-concert talk held by Blackford himself.

Worcester News: 180 performers are part of the ensemble, including 140 vocalists, a 33-piece orchestra and

He will be discussing his work from 4.45pm to 5.20pm in the Cathedral’s Chapter House.

Anyone attending the talk will be treated to a complimentary drink.

The soloists taking part in the evening’s performance include soprano Susanna Fairbairn, mezzo-soprano Samantha Price, tenor Gwilym Bowen and baritone Dominic Sedgwick.

Accompanying will be the Meridian Sinfonia, conducted by Samuel Hudson, the cathedral's director of music.

According to Susan White, chairman of the choral society, said: “There is something very special about hearing classical choral music performed live on this scale, in the Cathedral’s majestic surroundings.

"For this season-ending concert we have two, superb works from different eras in store, promising an outstanding experience.

"Not to mention a fascinating, free-pre-concert talk from one of the composers.”

WFCS has brought the choral greats to Worcester since 1861, and was often conducted by legendary musician Sir Edward Elgar in its early days.

The society lines up three concerts annually at the cathedral, in addition to an annual ‘Come & Sing’ workshop.

Reserve your place at Richard Blackford’s pre-concert talk by emailing tickets@wfcs.online by Wednesday, March 13.

You can purchase concert tickets at www.wfcs.online or by phoning TicketSource on 0333 666 3366.