BBC Proms Takes Stage at Bristol Beacon for Bank Holiday Weekend

The iconic BBC Proms, renowned for its classical music concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, is setting up shop in a new location this weekend: Bristol Beacon. From Saturday to Monday, the festival will take over the newly renovated venue, marking the first time a full-scale Proms event has been held in the South West of England.

Six concerts are scheduled at the Beacon, which recently underwent a £130 million refurbishment. The diverse programme features a range of performances, catering to various musical tastes and ages.

Bristol Beacon’s new chief executive, Simon Wales, who started his role just days before the Proms residency, highlighted the significance of this event: "Everyone knows the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, but we've been working with the BBC for a long time to ensure Bristol would be one of the biggest residencies."

The lineup includes performances by the Paraorchestra, the BBC Singers, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kirill Karabits, and a special CBeebies Proms on Monday.

"We have a truly accessible and varied programme," Wales explained. "It's a really varied and inclusive programme that will hopefully be welcoming to our audiences."

Local ensemble, the Paraorchestra, will make their Proms debut on Saturday. The group, composed of both disabled and non-disabled musicians, performs globally, aiming to make orchestral music accessible to everyone.

Jonathan Harper, the Paraorchestra’s chief executive, expressed his enthusiasm about the performance: “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to perform in one of the best concert halls in the world. Acoustically, it's the best concert hall in the country. For Paraorchestra, it's thrilling to be a part of this.”

With a diverse programme and a prestigious venue, the BBC Proms residency at Bristol Beacon promises a weekend of exceptional musical experiences for audiences of all ages and interests.