11/11/2024
Non-binary singer Sam Smith took part in the BBC Promenade Concert on Friday 2nd August, as the summer season of what are popularly known as the Proms kicked off live at the Royal Albert Hall, and was transmitted on the BBC's arts network, Radio Three. Sam Smith was performing their debut solo album In the Lonely Hour. Ten years on from its original release, the album's autobiographical tracks on the theme of unrequited love are reimagined with full orchestral support from the BBC Concert Orchestra. During the interval period, Linton Stephens talks to Sam Smith about performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and was joined by drag queen and singer Divina de Campo to discuss the links between queer pop and opera. Robert Newman founded The Proms in 1895. Since 1927, the BBC has organised and broadcast The Proms. Each season consists of concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, chamber music concerts at Cadogan Hall (or occasionally other venues), additional Proms in the Park events across the UK on the Last Night of the Proms, and associated educational and children's events. The season is a significant event in British culture and in classical music. Czech conductor Jiří Bělohlávek described the Proms as "the world's largest and most democratic musical festival", according to an article on Wikipedia.
