Hereford Three Choirs Festival, preview Held each year since the early-18th century, the festival, which rotates between the three cathedral cities of Gloucester, Worcester and this year's venue, Hereford, will take place from the 21-28 July. Now, a comprehensive choral repertoire is performed by the festival chorus, along with other major ensembles and international soloists, while non-religious works are also performed. The 2012 festival programme features popular classical and choral programmes, including performances of Elgar, Bach, Haydn, Delius and Stravinsky. Other highlights include performances of Elgar's The Music Makers, world premieres by British organist David Briggs and Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova, and a concluding performance of French Romantic composer Berlioz's Te Deum. The festival will present a choral concert each evening, accompanied by the resident symphony orchestra. This year is start of a three-year formal residency with the Philharmonia Orchestra, which will also be present at Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester 2013 and Worcester 2014. There will also be a daytime programme of chamber music, opera, theatre, talks and exhibitions. Tickets for events are affordable, and all ages are welcome for performances. Last year the festival was held in Worcester, and remembered the tenth anniversary of 9/11 with John Adam's 2002 canata On the Transmigration of Souls. See 3choirs.org/ for more information, and 3choirs.org/2012-hereford/programme/hereford-2012-programme.html for full programme details. Tickets are available from tickets.3choirs.org/