A STAPLE of this year's Leominster Festival, Leominster Choral Society presents Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius on June 6.

The performance, which will fill Leominster Priory Church, is in celebration of the centenary of Elgar coming to live in Hereford, where he wrote the work.

The chorus will be joined by three first-class soloists and the Regency Sinfonia, who will open the evening with some lighter Elgar pieces, dating from his childhood.

Gerontius was not immediately recognised as an outstanding work, following a rushed and badly rehearsed premiere in 1900.

However, by 1904 it had been hailed as a masterpiece following performances world-wide.

For this performance, conducted by Vernon Thurgood, the part of Gerontius will be sung by tenor Dominic Natoli, the angel will be Gaynor Keeble and Paul Mocroft stars as the Priest and Angel of the Agony.

Tickets are available on 01568 611190.