THE countdown is on to a festival which celebrates the life and music of Worcestershire's most famous composer. 

The Elgar Festival’s 2023 event will take place between Tuesday, May 30 and Sunday, June 4.

The Festival – which was launched in 2018 – was established by decree of Worcester City Council and is traditionally held on the weekend closest to Elgar’s birthday, June 2, 1857.

Evesham Journal: Worcester Cathedral where Sir Edward Elgar's music is often to be heard - the cathedral will play host to the English Symphony Orchestra and the Elgar Festival Chorus Worcester Cathedral where Sir Edward Elgar's music is often to be heard - the cathedral will play host to the English Symphony Orchestra and the Elgar Festival Chorus (Image: Supplied by organisers)

Themed ‘We are the Music Makers’, this year’s festival brings together an array of internationally renowned guest artists, placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers. 

With many events free, and others with a range of accessible pricing, the Festival offers high quality experiences for audiences - Elgar for Everyone.

Evesham Journal: HISTORY: Throughout the Festival, The Guildhall in Worcester, will have an exhibition on display of Elgar memorabilia on loan from prestigious private collections.HISTORY: Throughout the Festival, The Guildhall in Worcester, will have an exhibition on display of Elgar memorabilia on loan from prestigious private collections.

Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of The Elgar Festival said : “We are days away from this year’s Elgar Festival, a weekend of the best of British music, played in the heart of Elgar country.  The 2023 Elgar Festival promises to be a once in a lifetime celebration.  We look forward to welcoming you!

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“There’s nothing like that mixture of excitement and expectation just before a festival starts; the many long months of planning, preparing, fundraising and organising can sometimes seem to go on forever, and then, all of a sudden, it’s time for a party on a grand scale.

"This is going to be our grandest, and most fun, party yet – a birthday soirée in honour of Sir Edward Elgar for the ages!"

Some of the highlights for 2023 include:

  • At the heart of the Festival is the Gala Concert by the English Symphony Orchestra and the Elgar Festival Chorus at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday, June 3 at 7.30pm;
  • The annual Elgar’s Strings by the English String Orchestra concert at Worcester Guildhall;
  • Late night Club Elgar concerts featuring jazz, world music, blues and more with some of the UK’s most interesting musicians;
  • An evening concert in Malvern Priory featuring the music of 'Worcester’s greatest living composer', Ian Venables.

Throughout the Festival, The Guildhall in Worcester, will have an exhibition on display of Elgar memorabilia on loan from prestigious private collections.

Since it began in 2018 – lauded as ‘Critic’s Pick’ in both The Guardian and The Times – the Festival has doubled in size and scale and championed Sir Edward to as wide an audience as possible.