In a rare display of unity, the North East’s two regional mayors are backing BBC Proms performances, which will be returning this summer for the fifth time with a series of concerts over the period July 23-25 at venues in Gateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Royal Northern Sinfonia will be at the core of the three-day festival, with programmes embracing classical, contemporary, indie, folk, jazz and choral music. There will be shows at the Glasshouse, Gateshead; Fire Station, Sunderland; and Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Highlight will include North East artists including Northumberland folk pioneers The Unthanks, and the South Tyneside-born singer, pianist and song writer Nadine Shah, in her BBC Proms debut, as well as the rarely heard Crippled Symmetry, the American composer Milton Feldman’s 1983 work for flute, percussion and piano.
“Real opportunity for our artists”
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor said: “I am excited we’re bringing a world-famous festival like The Proms back to Gateshead and Sunderland, and making it an opportunity for our own North East talent to take centre stage. The Proms coming back to our region with its biggest programme yet is something to be really proud of, and I for one am thrilled by the idea of Nadine Shah performing with Royal Northern Sinfonia. This is about creating real opportunity for our artists, our communities and our young people, showing just how far their talent can take them. This festival shows the confidence and creativity of our North East.”
“Strong partnerships”
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor said: “We are committed to bringing world-class events to our region, and hosting the BBC Proms in Middlesbrough is a powerful example of what can be achieved through strong partnerships with organisations like the BBC. This event ensures that people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool can experience the Proms on their own doorstep, while also championing one of our outstanding local venues and delivering an important boost to our local economy.”
Kesia Bruce, general manager of Middlesbrough Town Hall, said: “We are delighted to welcome the BBC Proms to Middlesbrough Town Hall for the very first time. It’s a landmark moment for the venue and for our town, and one that builds on our strong musical heritage. We’re proud to be part of such a world-renowned celebration of music, and we look forward to welcoming audiences to experience an unforgettable evening of live music.”
Landmark moment
Tamsin Austin, venue director at, The Fire Station said: “We are delighted to once again be hosting a BBC Prom at The Fire Station, Sunderland, and to welcome our great friends Royal Northern Sinfonia for an evening of Mozart and a first BBC Proms performance of Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin, Piano and Strings. It is yet another landmark moment for live music in Sunderland. Hearing world class orchestral music up close, in the outstanding acoustics of our intimate concert hall, is a huge treat and we are really looking forward to sharing it with audiences. The performance will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, enabling listeners to join us from across the UK. We are grateful to our partners at The Glasshouse and BBC Radio 3 for their support in making this event possible.”
Brilliant
Fraser Anderson, chief executive of the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, said: “It’s brilliant to see the BBC Proms in the North East growing year on year. What started here in Gateshead has become three days of music that stretches across the region and brings people together for live music of all kinds. Taking centre stage is an exciting and eclectic range of musicians: connecting great artists with audiences is what we’re all about.
“We love working with our colleagues at the BBC to bring one of the world’s greatest music festivals to this most musical region, and are hugely grateful to North East and Tees Valley combined authorities for helping to make this possible.”
Sam Jackson, controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms, said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the North East of England for another residency as part of BBC Proms across the UK. Audiences can expect a programme packed with musical gems performed by local and international artists, with every note broadcast on Radio 3. The Proms was founded on the belief that everyone should have access to the very best classical music, and our residencies this year in the North East and Bristol, as well as a one-off concert in Mold, North Wales, will reach audiences on their own doorsteps.”
Adrian McNally, composer, musical director and pianist for The Unthanks said: “Rachel and Becky Unthank have parents from Teesside and lots of family still living there so playing in Middlesbrough is always a special event for us. Doing so with Royal Northern Sinfonia is another level however, especially after our first shows together earlier this year. They were such an artistic and commercial success for us. We look forward to building on that for the BBC Proms and can’t wait to unveil the special guests that will be joining us at Middlesbrough Town Hall.”
La-de-dah
Nadine Shah said:
“This summer I’ll be making my proms debut with Royal Northern Sinfonia. The performance will take place in the North East at our finest establishment, the Glasshouse in Gateshead. It’s high art, it’s fancy, call me “Nadine Shah lah-de-dah”. It’s about time, on the Tyne.”
*Tickets will be available from £8 to aid accessibility. Participatory activity and events designed to welcome audiences who may be experiencing live orchestral music for the first time will be laid on. With Sage One undergoing a summer refresh, events there will be held on the Glasshouse concourse.
Tickets and full programme details at: theglasshouseicm.org
