News Story

It is with profound sadness that the Three Choirs Festival marks the passing of the esteemed composer and conductor Ronald Corp OBE. His significant contributions to English choral music have enriched our musical landscape for decades.

We were greatly anticipating Ronald's presence at this year's festival in Hereford for the performance of his poignant work Letters from Lony. The news of his death comes as a particular blow to all who knew and admired him.

Ronald's dedication to fostering and championing English choral music was unwavering. His own compositions, often imbued with a profound sense of melody and harmony, have become staples of the repertoire. His insightful conducting, particularly of the New London Orchestra and the London Chorus, brought countless performances to life and inspired generations of musicians and audiences alike.

Ronald Corp at Gloucester 2023

Credit: James O'Driscoll

The Three Choirs Festival has been fortunate to have enjoyed a close relationship with Ronald Corp over many years. We fondly recall the premiere of his moving piece Hail and Farewell at the Gloucester Festival in 2023. His enthusiasm, his artistic vision, and his warm presence will be sorely missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. His musical legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the festival and beyond for years to come.