UK Theatre Network

The BBC took over as the main sponsor of the Promenade Concerts in 1927. The idea was to train a wider audience to appreciate classical music. Today music from the “Proms” attracts millions of viewers via television and is played live to an ever growing audience.

This concert was conducted by Perry Montague-Mason who also tried his hand at being a comedian, with varying success: “DIY stands for Destroy It Yourself.” However, he won over the audience and created a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere, even when he introduced the dreaded audience participation segment of the show. The audience happily clapped and sang along. Funnily enough, Nessun Dorma also became an audience participation number.

Starting with Mozart’s Le Nozze de Figaro and arias from various Italian operas, mainly by Puccini, Montague-Mason and the National Symphony Orchestra gradually guided us via Handel, Bizet and Strauss to the traditional, patriotic highlights – Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, and Land of Hope and Glory. The audience was so thrilled that the performance would still go on as I am writing this review if the decision had been up to them. The singers Sally Johnson and Sean Ruane were expressive and utterly charming.

Sadly, the tour has now ended.