Last Night of the Proms: A Celebration Led by Angel Blue in 2024
Saturday, 14 September 2024, 11:20
Memorable Moments from the Last Night of the Proms
While we wait for the Last Night to kick off, let's look back to some memorable ones, with help from the BBC Music magazine archive.
- 1947: BBC cameras arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for its first time televised. Orchestra members apparently struggled under the heat of the TV lights.
- 1985: Last Night mezzo soloist Sarah Walker unbuttons the sleeve of her dress to reveal a Union Flag - from this Proms on, a tradition of wearing union jacks is set.
- 2001: Just four days after the 9/11 attacks, the Last Night decides against playing the traditional patriotic pieces of Land of Hope and Glory and Rule, Britannia!
- 2013: Marin Alsop becomes the first woman to conduct the Last Night.
There have been tricky moments for the Proms in the last few years - in 2020 the Last Night was performed to an empty hall, and the 2022 concert was cancelled 48 hours before following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It was the first Last Night cancellation since 1944.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.