Hyde Park proms
Unbidden onlookers at BBC Proms 10th anniversary
London 10 September 2006. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the BBC’s outdoor prom season was held in parks across the country since July 15, and ended on Saturday, 9 September 2006, with the Last Night of BCC Proms in Hyde Park. The Proms’ grassroots look back at 111 years of history, but still remains true to its original aim: to present the widest possible range of music, performed to the highest standards, to large audiences. This year Radio Presenter Sir Terry Wogan, the Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu and also Lionel Richie, joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra and its conductor Carl Davis, were showcasing in Hyde Park.Black plastic barriers as high as two men surrounded the 2.5 acres of concert ground. At some spots were tiny gaps and people crowded to sneak a peek at one of two screens. Although there was one big screen to be seen from a broad middle part, people could get the better sound from side chasms. Listening seemed to be tolerated but spying was strictly forbidden. One hot spot was east gate where two younger and one elder female security force were on duty. Two of them positioned themselves on stools in front of the ‘spying gaps’ and lifted their arms to obstruct the view to the outside audience. Just when Lionel Richie appeared on stage, the gate crushers got more insistent, as a young girl came out of the enclosed area and shouted at the onlookers:”Go away, go away”, and moved fast towards one woman. Then she vanished behind the black barrier as fast as she appeared. That event encouraged other outsiders to express their opinions in no uncertain terms. A volunteer woman of Liberty Drivers said, she has already argued with them. “We do that job every year and on many other occasions, but it’s never happened before that security staff refused to let in a heavy wheelchair. But today these security people have advised me to get the wheelchairdrivers to the designated gate for wheelchairs.” A truck driver nodded his head: “I had difficulties to get in with my vehicle and it was my job to deliver the equipment”.When Lionel Richie left the stage and the Italian Balladeer Vittorio Grigolo began singing, the tense situation returned to normal. Before the grand finale, BBC Concert Orchestra conductor Carl Davis took the microphone. Apart from formal words of thanks to the organisers, the musicans and the paying audiences, he pointed out that they – the BBC as Proms promoter had made this event affordable for everybody. “25 Pound”, repeated a middle-aged man from Crowborough in East Sussex, and looked at his son – a sales assistant of a Supermarket chain, “we couldn’t do it”!Finally the huge black gate was opened from inside by the same female security from earlier and the onlookers had been allowed to view for free, even 110 yards were quite a distance to the stage.The final countdown started and the BBC Orchestra blared out a variety of Irish, Scottish and British Hymns as ‘Rule Britannia’ “… Britain shall never be slaved…” eventually ending in the National Anthem whilst as many as 2000 paying audience waved the St Georges flag and the Union Jack. Then both groups watched a diverting firework display. ‘All their attempts to bend thee down. Will but arouse thy generous flame’. Gabriele Nioduschewski
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