A renowned 19th century singer is set to be celebrated at this year's Elgar Festival.

Jenny Lind, often referred to as the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, will feature prominently in this year’s festival, which celebrates the life and music of Worcestershire's own Sir Edward Elgar.

The festival, which runs from Monday, May 27 until Sunday, June 2, will hold special events in honour of Lind, who spent her final years in the UK.

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At 3pm on Thursday, May 30 at Elgar’s birthplace, The Firs in Lower Broadheath, Worcester, April Fredrick - The English Symphony Orchestra’s first Affiliate Artist - and writer Michele Lammas, will lead an interactive talk and workshop about Lind's life and career.

Fredrick will perform ‘Qui la voce’, a favourite Bellini aria of Lind’s.

On Saturday, June 1, the all-female choir, The Jenny Lind Singers, named in her honour, will perform a concert featuring works by Sarah Quartel, Elizabeth Poston, Hildegard of Bingen, Elgar, Holst and many others at Worcester’s Guildhall at 3.30pm.

The concert will also present the world premiere of ‘Nimrod Reimagined’ by Liz Dilnot Johnson, commissioned by the Singers for Elgar’s birthday.

Artistic Director of the festival, Kenneth Woods, said: "During her lifetime no performer was more revered than the Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind.

"We are therefore delighted to be able to celebrate her extraordinary talent at this year’s Festival at two very exciting events."

Founded in the 1970s at Malvern Girl’s College, The Jenny Lind Singers specialize in performing and promoting works by female and Worcestershire composers, and championing new music.

The Singers, under the leadership of Lynne Lindner, host several concerts a year across different venues.

The festival was launched in 2018 by Worcester City Council.

The festival, lauded as ‘Critic’s Pick’ in both The Guardian and The Times, has doubled in size and scale since its inception.