Elgar Festival
Set against the iconic backdrop of ‘Elgar Country’, the Elgar Festival is a highlight of the West Midlands cultural calendar, this year taking place across the scenic destinations of Worcester, Malvern, and Pershore from 23 - 31 May 2026. The festival celebrates the enduring legacy of Worcester-born composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), through a diverse programme featuring world-class artists and accessible performing experiences, talks, exhibitions and guided walks designed to attract the broadest audience.
Amongst the many highlights this year is a Gala Concert which features a performance of the rarely-heard Cello Concerto by Elgar in the version for Viola, prepared by Lionel Tertis and premiered under Elgar’s baton in 1930. The work is to be performed by one of today’s leading performers and educationalists, Rosalind Ventris, with the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and their Principal Conductor Kenneth Woods. For the second half, the ESO will be joined by the Elgar Festival Chorus for another Elgar rarity; the composer’s early ‘symphony for chorus and orchestra’, ‘The Black Knight’.
There will be a further opportunity to hear the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) - resident ensemble at the Elgar Festival - in a rousing programme entitled Great British Tone Poems, to include Elgar's ebullient ‘Falstaff’, Bax's evocative ‘Tintagel’ and Holst's ever-popular ‘The Planets’ Suite. The ESO Strings will also take to the stage in a highly-anticipated programme of masterpieces from the string repertoire.
This year's featured composer is Thea Musgrave, the distinguished 97-year-old Scottish-American composer and one of the most respected and exciting contemporary composers in the Western world, whose work will be showcased in performances throughout the festival.
Guest artists include oboist Nicholas Daniel and composer and pianist Huw Watkins. I Fagiolini, the British solo voice ensemble and their Director Robert Hollingworth will be making a special visit as part of their 40th anniversary tour. Already at capacity is an evening with Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, while leading record producer Andrew Keener will be reminiscing on his work in the studio with some of the most renowned Elgar conductors and instrumentalists from the 1980s to the present day.
Offering FREE admittance is a popular programme given by Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra – the orchestra co-founded by Sir Edward Elgar and which provides an inclusive opportunity for families to experience the thrill of live orchestral music in an informal and welcoming environment. Choral and song repertoire is to be performed by the region’s best-loved ensembles including The Elgar Chorale, and The Jenny Lind Singers who celebrate the works of women composers past and present.
In recital, soprano April Fredrick who, as ESO Affiliate Artist, is well-known to audiences for her many fine performances and recordings, will be joined by acclaimed composer-pianist Eric McElroy and guests to explore the World War I experiences of regional luminaries including Ivor Gurney, George Butterworth, Arthur Bliss, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
An exciting new collaboration is to be led by Malvern-based multi-disciplinary artist Nakisha Swatton who is working with local amateur and professional musicians to create new musical portraits inspired by Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’. International competition winner Roman Kosyakov brings the 2026 festival to a close in virtuosic style with a piano transcription of Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.
A 'Come and Play Elgar' day offers amateur musicians the opportunity to perform with members of the English Symphony Orchestra in two of Elgar’s most exciting and challenging overtures as part of an immersive and collaborative workshop.
The ‘Elgar for Everyone’ Family Concert - hosted by ESO Youth’s patron, renowned broadcaster, composer and author Zeb Soanes from Classic FM - provides a perfect introduction to orchestral music for families and young music lovers. Over 100 young musicians from across Elgar Country join teachers and ESO mentors for a collaborative performance following intensive workshops, and the concert includes winning entries from the 2026 Young Composers Competition. Participants from the Elgar Festival / Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Young Performer Showcase Programme will also perform.
All concerts at the Elgar Festival offer FREE entry for under 18s accompanied by full-paying adults. Many other events are free-of-charge including relaxed concerts, talks, film and an exhibition.
(Photo by Michael Whitefoot.)
Amongst the many highlights this year is a Gala Concert which features a performance of the rarely-heard Cello Concerto by Elgar in the version for Viola, prepared by Lionel Tertis and premiered under Elgar’s baton in 1930. The work is to be performed by one of today’s leading performers and educationalists, Rosalind Ventris, with the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and their Principal Conductor Kenneth Woods. For the second half, the ESO will be joined by the Elgar Festival Chorus for another Elgar rarity; the composer’s early ‘symphony for chorus and orchestra’, ‘The Black Knight’.
There will be a further opportunity to hear the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) - resident ensemble at the Elgar Festival - in a rousing programme entitled Great British Tone Poems, to include Elgar's ebullient ‘Falstaff’, Bax's evocative ‘Tintagel’ and Holst's ever-popular ‘The Planets’ Suite. The ESO Strings will also take to the stage in a highly-anticipated programme of masterpieces from the string repertoire.
This year's featured composer is Thea Musgrave, the distinguished 97-year-old Scottish-American composer and one of the most respected and exciting contemporary composers in the Western world, whose work will be showcased in performances throughout the festival.
Guest artists include oboist Nicholas Daniel and composer and pianist Huw Watkins. I Fagiolini, the British solo voice ensemble and their Director Robert Hollingworth will be making a special visit as part of their 40th anniversary tour. Already at capacity is an evening with Julian and Jiaxin Lloyd Webber, while leading record producer Andrew Keener will be reminiscing on his work in the studio with some of the most renowned Elgar conductors and instrumentalists from the 1980s to the present day.
Offering FREE admittance is a popular programme given by Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra – the orchestra co-founded by Sir Edward Elgar and which provides an inclusive opportunity for families to experience the thrill of live orchestral music in an informal and welcoming environment. Choral and song repertoire is to be performed by the region’s best-loved ensembles including The Elgar Chorale, and The Jenny Lind Singers who celebrate the works of women composers past and present.
In recital, soprano April Fredrick who, as ESO Affiliate Artist, is well-known to audiences for her many fine performances and recordings, will be joined by acclaimed composer-pianist Eric McElroy and guests to explore the World War I experiences of regional luminaries including Ivor Gurney, George Butterworth, Arthur Bliss, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
An exciting new collaboration is to be led by Malvern-based multi-disciplinary artist Nakisha Swatton who is working with local amateur and professional musicians to create new musical portraits inspired by Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’. International competition winner Roman Kosyakov brings the 2026 festival to a close in virtuosic style with a piano transcription of Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’.
A 'Come and Play Elgar' day offers amateur musicians the opportunity to perform with members of the English Symphony Orchestra in two of Elgar’s most exciting and challenging overtures as part of an immersive and collaborative workshop.
The ‘Elgar for Everyone’ Family Concert - hosted by ESO Youth’s patron, renowned broadcaster, composer and author Zeb Soanes from Classic FM - provides a perfect introduction to orchestral music for families and young music lovers. Over 100 young musicians from across Elgar Country join teachers and ESO mentors for a collaborative performance following intensive workshops, and the concert includes winning entries from the 2026 Young Composers Competition. Participants from the Elgar Festival / Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Young Performer Showcase Programme will also perform.
All concerts at the Elgar Festival offer FREE entry for under 18s accompanied by full-paying adults. Many other events are free-of-charge including relaxed concerts, talks, film and an exhibition.
(Photo by Michael Whitefoot.)
Where & when
No performances found.
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