THE tragic story of St Kenelm - the boy king of Mercia who was murdered in Clent at the behest of his power-hungry sister - is to be set to music by internationally renowned composer Andrew Downes.

Early 20th Century Halesowen writer Francis Brett Young's The Ballad of St Kenelm, A.D 821 will be brought alive by the Hagley composer in one of the most important cultural collaborations in the town's history.

The Francis Brett Young Society commissioned the work to showcase the author's talent to a larger audience and performances will also include 17 pictures from Black Country artist H.R. Wilson (1911-2006) who depicted the story of St Kenelm.

The society has been fundraising for over three years and almost reached its £10,000 target to cover the cost of the commission, the copyright and production fees.

Dr Michael Hall, chairman of the society, said: "This is an exciting event both in the world of music and literature and marks a milestone in the Society’s many achievements in bringing the works of an important local author to a new audience.

"Young’s thrilling and moving ballad has been set for a fourteen-piece orchestra, soprano, narrator and actors by Hagley composer Andrew Downes whose music has been performed throughout the world in leading concert halls and cathedrals and has been broadcast on countless radio stations.

Francis Brett Young (1884-1954) was born in Halesowen and wrote about Birmingham, the Black Country and its green borderlands, in addition to thirty published novels, Young also composed music and wrote drama and poetry.

Dr Hall added: "He considered his most important work to be The Island, a collection of forty-six separate poems, exploring British history in different styles and at key points but often from unusual perspectives.

"The anthology’s eighth poem is The Ballad of St Kenelm, A.D. 821 and this tells the legend of Kenelm, the boy king of Mercia, murdered at Clent as part of his sister’s plot to gain the throne."

Hagley Community Orchestra and the Central England Ensemble are being charged with bringing the music to life and there will be a full cast of actors depicting the haunting story on stage and the narrator will be Haydn Thomas.

The Francis Brett Young Society was formed in 1979 in order to keep the prolific author's work alive and relevant and the revival of The Ballad of St Kenelm, A.D 821 is its most ambitious undertaking yet.

Three world premiere performances are planned for this year.

The first as part of the Hagley Music Festival at St John’s Church, Hagley on Wednesday, April 22 at 7.30pm; the second as part of the Winchcombe Festival at St Peter’s Church, Winchcombe on Friday, May 22 at 7pm and the third at Bewdley Festival in St George’s Hall, Bewdley on October 11, at 2.30pm.

Tickets for all performances are available from the Francis Brett Young Society and cost £10 – details from www.fbysociety.co.uk or from 0121 440 2460.