WORDSLEY'S Red House Glass Cone is set to sparkle when it hosts the world premiere of a ground-breaking audio visual event as part of the International Festival of Glass.

Andy Garbi’s Vitrescence: Becoming Glass will take place at the historic venue on Saturday August 26 and will celebrate and explore the nature of glass by using glass instruments designed to react with the unique acoustics of the 100-foot high 18th century glass cone chimney.

Multi award-winning sound artist, singer and composer Andy said there will be 18 singers and18 brass players with glass instruments made live in-situ by a team of top class glassblowers plus a 7:1 surround sound system" and he added: "This piece has been created to encourage people to listen to spaces – therefore there is no stage. Musicians and singers come to the audience.”

The cone’s resident glass artist Charlotte Hughes-Martin has helped to develop glass instruments for the piece.

Brierley Hill based engineer Steve Snaith has also been collaborating with Andy to create hybrid post-horns which incorporate a modified glassblowing iron with a glass trumpet bell.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley's cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “The audience will be immersed in an experience like no other with instrumental music, live action glass-work, choral voice and sounds from the glass industry all merged together to make something ground breaking for the festival. This is a true celebration of the glass industry.”

The performance starts at 8.30pm and tickets cost £10 each (including a glass of wine) and can be booked by calling the cone on 01384 812750.

Check out www.rmlt.org.uk/international-festival-of-glass for more information about events taking place during the International Festival of Glass which is running from August 25 to 28 at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter.