A week of fringe events around the city precedes the start of the St Albans International Organ Festival next Saturday, July 11.

Opening proceedings in the festival proper are ensemblebash at 12.30pm in St Saviour’s Church, regarded as Britain’s leading percussion ensemble.

At 7.30pm in the cathedral, St Albans Bach Choir and Sinfonia Verdi present two British choral masterpieces, Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams and the theatrical and rhythmic, Belshazzar’s Feast by William Walton.

Also to be found across the festival period, which runs until July 18, are sopranos Joan Rodgers and Kate Semmens, Orchester Wiener Akademie playing Mozart and Haydn, dance, choirs, harpsichord and many organ recitals.

For full details of all the events in the festival and to book tickets go to www.organfestival.com. The box office is open daily in the cathedral.