Classical music : Three Choirs festival

Worcester's Three Choirs Festival is an event with a long and distinguished history: it dates back to the early years of the 18th century, and some of the great names who have been closely linked with it include Handel, Parry, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Maxwell Davies. This year's programme is typically wide-ranging, starting off tonight with sacred works by Duke Ellington, tomorrow Berlioz's enormous Te Deum, and culminating on Friday with a performance of Verdi's Requiem. Mark Elder conducts Mahler's magnificent Third Symphony on Tuesday, while American conductor Leonard Slatkin (right) leads massed choral forces, soloists and the Philharmonia in Elgar's oratorio The Kingdom. In addition to all these riches there is a carefully chosen series of chamber and instrumental recitals, ensuring that this is one of the most cherished small-scale festivals of the year.

Venues around Worcester (01905 745660) to 27 Aug

Andrew Clarke