SIR WILLARD WHITE & THE BRODSKY QUARTET

Two great names in classical music here join forces to present an eclectic evening of musicmaking featuring jazz and classical works, musical theatre numbers and evergreen pop standards.

Highlights of the concert, which is being presented as part of the Lichfield Festival, include a rendition of Ol’ Man River, spirituals and folksongs, music from Porgy & Bess, and a performance of the oft-recorded My Way.

The concert marks the end of the Brodsky Quartet’s critically acclaimed three-year Lichfield Festival residency.

Lichfield Cathedral, Thursday 17 July

CBSO & THE ORCHESTRAL QAWWALI PROJECT

Symphony orchestra, Sufi poetry and classical dance is the winning combination powering the genre-defying Orchestral Qawwali Project.

Returning to Symphony Hall following a sell-out performance two years ago, the project - which is written & directed by critically acclaimed composer Rushil Ranjan - brings together rich orchestral arrangements (here performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) with the soaring and effortless vocals of Abi Sampa.

Prize-winning conductor Melvin Tay is the man at the helm. The ever-brilliant CBSO Chorus lend their voices to proceedings.   

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Saturday 19 July

PALISANDER

Lichfield Festival’s associate early music ensemble here present a concert in which they explore the historic relationship between music and the magical spectrum, including elements of maths, philosophy and the occult. The programme features pieces by Tartini, JS Bach and Hildegard von Bingen, alongside Renaissance consort music and contemporary works.

The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield, Sunday 20 July

JENEBA KANNEH-MASON

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason’s cathedral concert closes this year’s Lichfield Festival. 
A rising star who is following in the footsteps of celebrated elder siblings Isata and Sheku, pianist Jeneba released her debut solo album, Fantasie, earlier this year, having last summer earned plenty of plaudits for her first-ever performance at the BBC Proms.

She’s played at the BAFTAs and the Royal Variety Performance, too, and has a passion for curating programmes that cross diverse musical landscapes. 

Her Lichfield concert includes works by Chopin, Debussy and Florence Price - all of which are featured on her album - together with music by Bach (Partita No5) and Beethoven (Sonata No17, The Tempest).  

Lichfield Cathedral, Sunday 20 July

THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL

The Three Choirs is the oldest non-competitive classical music festival in the world. 
The event brings together established favourites of the British classical choral tradition with works drawn from a broader, more international musical canvas. 

Choral and orchestral concerts feature prominently in a week-long programme that also includes cathedral services, solo and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, talks, theatre, exhibitions and walks. 
The action takes place each year, on a rotating basis, in one of three beautiful cathedral cities, Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford, the latter of which is hosting this year’s proceedings.

Various locations, Hereford, Saturday 26 July - Saturday 2 August