Last night of the Proms

There is such a ring to the words "Last night of the Proms" – stirring up images of classical music played and sung by exceptional individuals but also inviting audience participation…

BBC THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS
Featuring Renée Fleming soprano • Maxim Rysanov viola • BBC Singers • BBC Symphony Chorus • BBC Symphony Orchestra • Ji?í B?lohlávek conductor

Runtime – 195 minutes

BBC THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS IS IN NZ CINEMAS 7TH OCTOBER 2010

Strictly limited season only.

There is such a ring to the words "Last night of the Proms" – stirring up images of classical music played and sung by exceptional individuals but also inviting audience participation.

The newly released film of the 2010 Last Night of the Proms included a rich programme of Proms traditions and a snapshot story of how Kiri Te Kanawa (with BBC Radio 2) has been searching for, and has found a new "Voice" who hopefully will have the qualities to delight music lovers for many years to come. We saw how applicants attended Master classes with Kiri and finally 5 singers sang before a panel of 3 judges. The female winner was Shuna Scott Sendall, who sang in Hyde Park with Kiri and Jose Carreras. She has a superb voice and delightful personality. We look forward to seeing more of her in the future.

The last Night of the Proms, filmed at the Royal Albert Hall was packed to capacity and was filled with an expectant air of good things waiting to happen. There were several other Proms in Parks being held simultaneously and we were treated to links with these as well. There is a long history of 116 years and the Brits really do history well. A laurel wreath was ceremoniously laid around the neck of a bust of Sir Henry Wood who began the Concerts in 1895.

The choice of guest stars was well chosen. The American superstar soprano Renee Fleming, who has won many awards and sang at President Obama’s Inauguration Ceremony, was simply exquisite. She has a lustrous voice and great connection with the audience. She performed 5 poignant love songs by Strauss and for the obligatory Rule Britannia appeared wearing a studded helmet along with her violet Vivienne Westwood gown.

The younger male lead was Maxim Rysanov who thrilled with his beautiful playing on the viola. He is from the Ukraine, and he said one of his favourite English composers was Vaughan Williams’ Suite for Viola.

True to form, the second half of the concert came on screen with orchestra members festooned with decorations and the Conductor Jiri Belohlavek, good naturely performing with a large yellow balloon, for company, on the podium nearby.

There was wonderful music and a great sense of enjoyment from the regular favourites of Auld Lang Syne, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem.

The massed voices of the BBC singers, the BBC Symphony chorus and the BBC Symphony Orchestra made for 195 minutes of top quality entertainment.

By Liz Johnson, 4 October 2010.