The popular local event will return on June 24, kicking off with a screening of silent horror The Phantom of the Opera at St Mary's Church, accompanied by Jonathan Eyre on the church's new organ.

This year's theme is based on the 150th anniversary of Ralph Vaughan Williams' birth and his strong connections with Ravel and French music.

A shot of Lon Chaney in Phantom Of The Opera, based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel

Highlights include an opera double bill with a full orchestra, on Saturday 25 at 7.30pm. Local company Hand Made Opera will perform Chabrier's Une Éducation Manquée and Gilbert & Sullivan's Cox and Box in St Mary's Churchyard.

An audience watches a performance in St Mary's Churchyard (Photo: Maldon Festival)

Organisers say these two short operas are a 'perfect' way to accompany a summer's evening picnic. A full bar service will be available.

Local schoolchildren will perform Herbert Chappell's cantata, The Daniel Jazz, at the Church on June 25 at 12 noon.

They will be supported by Richard Cook, Assistant Director of Music at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, on the organ. The concert is free, but donations are welcome.

Previous Chelmsford Cathedral Choral Scholars after performing at the Maldon Festival

Festival favourites the Chelmsford Cathedral Choral Scholars will perform at St Mary's Church on Friday July 8, at 8pm.

They have appeared on several occasions at Maldon Festival over the years. Choral Scholars have been a mainstay of the English cathedral tradition for centuries. Former Chelmsford scholars are currently singing with professional groups around the world.

The programme will include a variety of repertoire from Schumann to the contemporary composer, Jonathan Dove.

Maldon Festival's Artistic Director Colin Baldy has announced that he will be moving away from the town this summer and is "not sure what the future holds" regarding his relationship with the festival. However, he suggested he may be able to continue in his role remotely.

Colin Baldy (left) and Kieran Sampson (right) helped to create the successful local event

Colin and his late partner Kieran Sampson were instrumental in setting up the first Maldon Festival in 2008. Sadly, Kieran died in 2019, aged just 38, but the festival has continued to be an annual highlight for the community.

This year's festival will run until July 10. For more information, visit the Maldon Festival's website.

Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite.