THE English Symphony Orchestra (ES) will be joined by a Shakespearian actor for a concert with a difference.

The Worcestershire-based ESO String Orchestra will use music and words to recreate the sound of European cities at the turn of the 18th Century when it performs at Malvern St James school in Malvern tomorrow.

Inspired by the historic Grand Tour - the custom of upper-class young men touring cultural cities across Europe - the orchestra will perform classical pieces that conjure up images of various cities, while Royal Shakespeare Company actor Richard Derrington narrates.

Purcell’s Chaconne will represent London, while Couperin’s Pieces en Concert will invoke Paris. For Venice, members of the Malvern St James Girls Choir will perform extracts from Vivaldi’s Gloria.

ESO soloist Michael Bochmann said: “The Grand Tour was a cultural and educational European travel itinerary which young aristocrats took throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

“Through this stunning music and atmospheric narration we are re-living the world as those travellers experienced it."

The concert will take place in Malvern St James’ York Hall, in Avenue Road, Great Malvern, at 7.30pm.

For tickets, priced £10 to £20, call box office on 01386 791044. For a full ESO programme visit eso.co.uk