It’s curtains down on the Last Night of the Promspublished at 23:24 BST 12 September
23:24 BST 12 September
Tara Mewawalla
Live reporter
Image source, Chris Christodoulou
Before tonight, I hadn’t ever watched the Proms and I didn’t
know what to expect – safe to say I’ve had my expectations surpassed.
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights was hearing star
tenor Nicky Spence’s rich voice for the first time and
marvelling as he moved fluidly between Dvořák’s Rusalka, Baccara’s Yes Sir I, Can Boogie and The Proclaimers I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).
Even better witnessing his half a dozen outfit changes, much
to our Royal
Albert Hall reporter Rorey Bosotti’s delight.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Samuel Barber’s 26-minute“finger-twisting” masterpiece Piano Concerto might pose a minor threat to the attention span.
But Yuja Wang’s performance and glittering
stage presence kept me hooked and delighted concertgoers in the venue.
For many, though, it will be the Dolly
Parton tribute that sticks in the mind.
The dolled-up, energetic Sheridan Smith and
synergetic country-duo Ward Thomas brought 9 to 5 and Jolene
to life. While Beverley Knight’s I Will Always Love You proved
magnificent and heart-wrenching.
We’re wrapping up our coverage now as the dapper ladies and
gentlemen leave the Royal Albert Hall for their night ahead.
To conclude, conductor Sakari Oramo left the audience
thinking about Parton’s legacy and the future of music, telling us: “It’s
the time to be authentically human.”
Until next year.