Classical music is for everybody. That’s been proven time and time again in recent years. And once more, Bristolians can enjoy some of the most exciting musicians in classical music—as the BBC Proms returns to Bristol for a weekend-long residency. The city will host four Proms concerts at Bristol Beacon, with an additional event at St George’s, this time around from August 22 to 24.
This year’s programme highlights South West talent, including the return of Bristol-based Paraorchestra (Friday, August 22), led by Charles Hazlewood, who made their BBC Proms debut at Bristol Beacon last year. They will present a genre-defying new performance in Beacon Hall, collaborating with award-winning folk duo The Breath and composer Oliver Vibrans on a set of newly arranged works.
“We’re beyond excited to be bringing another world premiere to the BBC Proms,” said Charles Hazlewood, Artistic Director of Paraorchestra. “I can say, hand on heart, that this will be so much more than the standard orchestra-meets-band. I guarantee you will hear things – and instrumental combinations – that you have never heard before.”
Then, Beacon Hall will host Britten Sinfonia (Saturday, August 23), performing a powerful pandemic-era Proms commission, alongside works by Mozart, Sibelius and Arvo Pärt. While up the road at St George’s, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble will present a rich choral programme spanning centuries, including works by Palestrina, Mahler, Bach and Ethel Smyth.
On Sunday, August 24, the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera will return under Carlo Rizzi with mezzo-soprano Virginie Verrez, presenting a rich Italian programme including Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and Elgar’s In the South. Most of the concerts at Bristol Beacon will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and the concert at St George’s will be recorded for future broadcast.
Simon Wales, Chief Executive of Bristol Beacon, said: “We strive to offer world-class classical music to our audience as part of our wider artistic programme and we are proud to be working with the BBC Proms to continue to offer music that is open to all. We look forward to inviting both existing and new audiences into Bristol Beacon this summer.”
Promming tickets are available from just £8 here, while there are several FREE events too.
BBC Proms in Bristol listings:
Friday 22 August, 6pm | Beacon Hall – Bristol Beacon | Paraorchestra and The Breath
The Breath
Ríoghnach Connolly voice/flute/shruti
Stuart McCallum guitars
Paraorchestra
Charles Hazlewood conductor
Friday 22 August, 10pm | Lantern Hall – Bristol Beacon | Late Junction
Verity Sharp presenter
Saturday 23 August, 2pm | St George’s Bristol | Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Graham Ross conductor
Saturday 23 August, 5:30pm | Beacon Hall – Bristol Beacon | Mozart, Arvo Pärt and Gavin Higgins
Zoë Beyers violin/director
Miranda Dale violin
Britten Sinfonia
*Tess Jackson conductor
Saturday 23 August, 12pm – 5pm – Bridgehouse | BBC Introducing
Lady Nade
Chloe Foy
Boci
Firewoodisland
Immi Dash
Saturday 23 August, 7:30pm – 9pm – Stalls Bar | Georgia Mann classical DJ set
Georgia Mann
Rob Winter
Sunday 24 August, 11am – 12pm – Lantern Hall | The Musical Garden
Raph trombonist
Chez accordion player
Sunday 24 August, 5pm – 5:45pm – Bridgehouse
Interactive sing-along
Sunday 24 August, 7pm | Beacon Hall – Bristol Beacon | Under the Italian Sun
Virginie Verrez mezzo-soprano
Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
Carlo Rizzi conductor