Hollywood Rhapsody

Tuesday 27 August 2013

In 2013, the Royal College of Music is delighted once again to be enjoying a close association with the BBC Proms, the world’s biggest classical music festival.

The week got off to a glorious start courtesy of one of the RCM’s best-loved alumni: conductor John Wilson, who presented an entertaining evening of great film music from the golden age of Hollywood on Monday 26 August. After this performance, the next time London audiences will be able to see John conduct is back at the RCM itself, where he will conduct a programme of Britten and Rachmaninov. For more details see the RCM events website.

Tuesday evening at the Proms sees a coming together of three famous RCM alumni: Sir Andrew Davis conducts rising star baritone Jacques Imbrailo in a semi-staged performance of Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd. Britten’s centenary is another big feature of the RCM autumn season, which includes orchestral concerts, song recitals and chamber performances devoted to the music of this great RCM alumnus. For more details see the RCM Britten 100 website.

As always, these concerts are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and available for seven days to listen again on BBC iPlayer.