PRINCE Charles will be visiting Worcester next week.

The Prince of Wales will be visiting Worcester Cathedral for a special concert celebrating Sir Edward Elgar as part of the Three Choirs Festival.

The Prince, who is president of the Three Choirs Festival Association, will hear the Lower Broadheath-born composer's stirring oratorio, Dream of Gerontius, during the cathedral concert on Tuesday evening (July 25).

The work has been a favourite of festival audiences ever since its first, full Three Choirs performance in 1902, when it was conducted in Worcester Cathedral by Elgar himself.

This year’s concert, conducted by music director of the English National Opera, Martyn Brabbins, will be performed by the 150 voices of the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and Worcester Cathedral Girl Choristers, together with the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Michael Clarke, chairman of Worcester Three Choirs Festival, said: “We at the Three Choirs Festival are delighted and honoured to welcome the Prince of Wales to this concert.

"In the heart of ‘Elgar country’, Gerontius is perhaps synonymous with the festival, enduring in audiences’ hearts decade after decade.

"We are privileged to perform it for His Royal Highness in Worcester this year.”

This year the Three Choirs Festival is marking its 302nd anniversary with more than 70 concerts, recitals, workshops, talks and family-friendly events, taking place across Worcestershire from Saturday, July 22 until Saturday, July 29.

Although the Dream of Gerontius concert is sold out, tickets for other Three Choirs Festival events can be purchased at 3choirs.org/events, by calling 01452 768928 or by visiting the festival’s box office at 4 College Green, Worcester.