The Three Choirs Festival has announced its new programme for 2024, celebrating the powerful influence of nature on composers and musicians.

Taking place in Worcester from Saturday, July 27 to Saturday, August 3, this year’s festival will see a medley of historical and contemporary works.

The line-up includes compositions from Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst, Bob Chilcott and Judith Weir.

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Among the featured pieces are Elgar’s ‘The Kingdom’, Holst’s ‘The Cloud Messenger’ and ‘The Angry Planet’ by Chilcott.

Performances will be delivered by a range of groups and soloists.

The audience can expect to see the Festival Youth Choir, Festival Voices, Three Cathedral Choirs, and the world-renowned BBC Singers.

The Philharmonia, this year’s orchestra-in-residence, will also feature.

Meanwhile, smaller scale performances and intimate concerts will run alongside the grand symphonic shows.

The festival will mark several significant anniversaries: the 150th year since the birth of composer Gustav Holst; the 100th year since the death of Charles Stanford and the 70th birthdays of Weir and the late Steve Martland.

Amongst the line-up of events will be several premieres and commissions, such as the first UK performance of Sarah Kirkland Snider’s ‘Mass for the Endangered’ and new works by Nathan James Dearden, Paul Mealor, and Luke Lewis.

Artistic director Samuel Hudson said: "It is always an exciting moment when a festival programme is unveiled.

"I am very much looking forward to the 2024 Three Choirs Festival in Worcester."

The festival's chief executive, Alexis Paterson, said: "It’s been a joy working with Sam on this year’s programme, with his clear vision to celebrate the natural world and the wonders of our planet through some truly beautiful and, at times, thought-provoking music.

"We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the festival this summer.

"There really is so much to discover, whether you’re a seasoned concert-goer looking for world-class performances, a family wanting to enjoy music together in a fun-filled family event, or eager for something a little different in our late-night series."

Booking for the festival starts in April.

Full programme details will be available on the festival’s website, 3choirs.org, from 10am on Friday (March 15).