A MUSICAL feast will be enjoyed in a Worcestershire town at the end of this month.

Bizet and Bernstein, Verdi and Puccini – Carmen, La Boheme and Turandot – A Night At The Opera is the theme for Worcestershire’s annual Malvern Music Experience, as the world-famous English Symphony Orchestra graces the stage at the foot of Malvern’s dramatic hills for the 11th year on Saturday, August 30.

The celebrated ensemble, renowned for its broad-based repertoire and more than 50 recordings, will be guided by the baton of Stephen Roberts, whose composition portfolio ranges from chamber orchestra pieces to pop music backing tracks.

The ESO will perform a selection of arias, choruses and orchestral excerpts from some of the world’s greatest operas.

It is joined by Worcestershire-born soprano Elizabeth MacDonald, who has sung in many operas in this country and abroad, and tenor John Hudson, famous for his appearance in television’s Viva La Diva with Lesley Garrett.

The Saint Michael’s Singers will be performing the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves (Nabucco) and The Anvil Chorus (Il Travatore).

Sharon Gilbert, press and PR manager for Malvern Showground, where the event will take place, said: “Opera originated in 16th-century Florence and is often described as the pop music of its day.

“It is a powerful, emotional mix of music and theatre and thanks largely to The Three Tenors’ performance of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma for the 1990 World Cup, it has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many of the great opera singers, such as Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras becoming household names.”

No concert is complete without a rousing finale and this one is no different.

The evening will close with the traditional, much-loved proms and spectacular fireworks set to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Ms Gilbert said: “We do hope that people of all ages will come along early to enjoy dining out in style with a picnic and we encourage them to bring their candelabras, best china and even dress for dinner.”

Gates open at 5.30pm and the concert begins at 7pm and there are bars and refreshments, children’s fun activities and a free car park with plenty of disabled parking and access.

There is also VIP parking, mini marquee and gazebo space (pre-booked and limited), table and chair hire and a porter service.

Tickets (£18 in advance and £25 on the gate, with concessions for children, group bookings and families), are available from the ticket hotline on 01684 584924 or via the box office on the website threecounties.co.uk.

One companion for a wheelchair user or visually impaired visitor is admitted free on the gate.