2008 sees the Three Choirs Festival back in Worcester, just in time to celebrate the Cathedral’s new Quire Organ, built by Kenneth Tickell.Alongside Dame Gillian Weir’s recital, there will be plenty else here to tempt you in our week of celebration next August.

We recognise the centenaries of that great French innovator, Olivier Messiaen (L’Ascension, Quatuor pour le fin du temps and Les Offrandes Oubliées) and of the unjustly neglected Belfast-born Howard Ferguson (Amore Langueo, Five Bagatelles and Overture for an occasion). It’s hard to believe that fifty years have passed since the death of Vaughan Williams, a regular figure at Three Choirs, and his music will be represented by the Mass in G minor, as well as Lord, Thou hast been our refuge and Dona Nobis Pacem.

Love and Sacrifice come together as a theme in a number of different elements this year, notably in Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet and Bernstein’s latter-day classic West Side Story, but also in the double bill drama of Dido and Aeneas and The Indian Queen and the human sacrifice of war in Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. Christian love is also reflected in Bach’s exquisite Christmas Oratorio and Elgar’s momentous work The Apostles, as well as Britten’s charming story of the life and times of St Nicolas. The more carnal themes within Orff’s Carmina Burana add another dimension to this thread, as well as providing a lively climax to the week’s music-making.

The many visitors to Royal Worcester might be inspired to join our 300th birthday celebration of Dr John Wall, co-founder of the eponymous porcelain factory, and one of the earliest officers of the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester. Our Sunday concert features well-known works by Handel and Purcell alongside one of John Garth’s charming Cello Concertos, a Durham born composer of similar vintage.

There are plenty more surprises too: a brilliant concert of Music from the Movies on the final Saturday; Stokowski’s amazing orchestration of the familiar Pictures from an Exhibition; the dramatic suite arranged from Walton’s epic film music for Shakespeare’s Henry V; the world premiere of Andrew Gant’s “A British Symphony”; singing projects for children of all ages; plus all the delights of choral and instrumental music from across the ages spanning Gothic Voices, The Kings Singers and The David Rees - Williams Jazz Trio; even the Shakespeare’s Globe touring company on stage in College Hall.

Something for all the family!