A NEW jazz choral work based on The Vision of Piers Plowman will have its world premiere at the 275th Three Choirs Festival in Worcester later this year.

Andrew Gant's work was commissioned by festival organisers and will be unveiled by the Philharmonia Orchestra under Adrian Lucas, the festival's artistic director, with soloists Patricia Rozario, Lawrence Zazzo, Matthew Beale and William Clements, on August 19 at Worcester Cathedral.

William Langland's classic work, written in the 14th century, has strong connections with the Malvern Hills, which feature in it.

The festival, which runs from August 17-23, is hosted by Worcester, Gloucester and Her-eford on alternate years, and this year the Worcester event is made up of three main strands.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of William Walton, no less than eleven of his works will be performed over the five-day event. These include several of his lesser-known works, such as Antiphon and the full orchestral setting of WH Auden's The Twelve. Walton's music also forms a strong influence in Lionel Sainsbury's Violin Concerto, which will receive its first public performance.

The 150th birthday of Charles Villiers Stanford would fall in 2002 and some of the works by him being performed include his Second Piano Concerto and the Irish Symphony.

As well as the Queen's golden jubilee, 2002 also marks the centenary of the coronation of Edward VII. These occasions are reflected in Handel's Coronation Anthems, Elgar's Coronation Ode and Walton's Orb and Sceptre march.

The festival's strong links with Sir Edward Elgar are also reflected in the opening concert, which features The Dream of Gerontius 100 years after its first Worcester performance, conducted by the composer.

Immediately local events include Saturday, August 17, when the Volante Strings will bring St Edburga's Church, Leigh to life with a summer afternoon's programme of Bach, Holst, Boyce and Grieg starting at 2.30pm.

The nuns of Stanbrook Abbey, Callow End, will be singing the office of Vespers at the abbey on Sunday, August 18 at 6pm. It will be preceded by a talk by Chantress Sister Raphael and organist Sister Margaret.

For more information on the festival, call the box office on 01905 729184 or visit www.3choirs.org.