The Royal Albert Hall’s 150th-anniversary celebrations will properly begin on 29 May, as audiences return to the venue for socially distanced events.
A typically eclectic programme for the first week includes family concerts led by the in-house Albert’s Band, the Royal Choral Society singing Handel’s Messiah – an annual tradition since 1876 – and events spotlighting country music and ballet.
Subject to the next stage of the government’s roadmap going ahead as planned, the Hall will then re-open to the public with full capacity from 6 July. Aside from staging three 1,000 capacity events in December, the venue has been closed to audiences since 17 March 2020.
Subject to the next stage of the government’s roadmap going ahead as planned, the Hall will then re-open to the public with full capacity from 6 July. Aside from staging three 1,000 capacity events in December, the venue has been closed to audiences since 17 March 2020.
Craig Hassall, Chief Executive of the Royal Alber Hall said, “This has been the toughest period in the Hall’s 150-year history – and not how we ever imagined marking this remarkable milestone. But we are so excited about getting back to doing what we do best, and can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Hall to help us celebrate this anniversary in style.”
The venue will re-open on 29 May with a family concert, Albert’s Band: Back with a Bang, followed by the Messiah with the Royal Choral Society (30 May), A Country Night in Nashville (1 June), and the British Ballet Charity Gala (3 Jun), hosted by Darcey Bussell. Under government guidelines, 1,000 tickets will be available for each of the concert, 20% of the Hall’s usual capacity.
Full capacity events are then scheduled to resume on 6 July with James Blunt, followed by Carmina Burana (7 July), Faué’s Requiem from Scratch (11 July) and a Films in Concert presentation of Superman (16 July), prior to the Hall’s much-anticipated birthday show on 19 July, David Arnold’s ‘A Circle of Sound’, with the acclaimed composer presenting a new commission featuring young musicians and world-famous writers.
The world’s most famous music festival, the BBC Proms, kicks off on 30 July, running until 11 September, with further programme and booking details being announced on 27 May. The Hall hopes to welcome live audiences back to the Proms, in line with government guidance, after two weeks of behind closed doors concerts in 2020.
LISTINGS:
Socially-distanced events (1,000 capacity):
• Sat 29 May: Albert’s Band: Back with a Bang
• Sun 30 May: Royal Choral Society – Messiah
• Tue 1 Jun: A Country Night in Nashville
• Thu 3 Jun: British Ballet Charity Gala
Full capacity events:
• Tue 6 Jul: James Blunt
• Wed 7 Jul: Carmina Burana
• Sun 11 Jul: Fauré’s Requiem from Scratch
• Fri 16 Jul: Superman in Concert
• Sat 17 Jul: Miloš
• Mon 19 Jul: 150th Anniversary Concert: David Arnold’s ‘A Circle of Sound’
• Wed 21 Jul: The Best of the West End
• Fri 23 Jul: An Evening with Sir Bryn Terfel
• Sat 24 Jul: Strongman Classic
Programme and booking details to be announced on 27 May:
• Fri 30 Jul – Sat 11 Sep: BBC Proms
For more information or to buy tickets please visit the Royal Albert Hall’s website.
