THE famous Three Choirs Festival, this year at Worcester, comprises not only exciting classical and choral music, but also opera, spoken word and a range of jazz events.

The 300-year-old festival runs from August 6-14 and has a well deserved reputation for traditional choral and classical works. The three Cathedral Choirs of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester perform throughout the Festival and their combined Choral Evensong on August 10 will be the first ever to be broadcast live by BBC Radio 3.

The Festival begins with The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra performing with the Festival Chorus in an opening concert of Bernstein, Finzi and Mendelssohn on Saturday, August 6 in Worcester Cathedral at 7.45pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display across the city.

The CBSO also perform with the City of Birmingham Choir and Russian soloists at the Cathedral on August 7 with a programme of Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Rachmaninov. The orchestra then reunites with the Festival Chorus on August 8 for a performance of Elgar's great oratorio The Light of Life together with Britten's Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings.

There are recitals by celebrated soloists, including cellist Jamie Walton (pictured) with a "homage" to Jacqueline du Pre in the Cathedral Quire; Thomas Trotter performing an organ recital in the setting of Malvern Priory and Mark Bebbington with a piano recital at Huntingdon Hall.

Pershore Abbey hosts The Cardinall's Musick in a programme to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder plot and The Barkham Harp Quartet (also pictured) appear at Huntingdon Hall to talk about their harps and demonstrate their skill and virtuosity.

Opera features for the first time in the Festival, with three performances of Purcell's The Fairy Queen, at King's School Theatre from August 11, featuring puppetry, dance and circus skills.

Jazz events include a concert performance of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, gospel choir Black Voices, jazz saxophone and piano duo Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock and group Respectable Groove.

For full details and to book tickets, visit www.3choirs.org or call the ticket hotline on 01905 611 538.