FOR at least 7,000 music-lovers, the Last Night of the Proms at Broadlands is the highlight of the summer season - a rousing evening packed full of popular classics and patriotic favourites.
But it's not just the hardcore classical fans who will be waving their Union Jacks in the summer night sky on Saturday, August 9.
Prommers of all ages, who would never normally listen to Radio 3, will sit, stand and lie down through hours of classical music, come rain or shine.
Performed by the world-renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Last Night of the Proms is a uniquely British event that draws in a diverse - and occasionally eccentric - audience.
In fact, Anthony Brown, from the BSO, said the Proms had a broader appeal than other festivals such as Glastonbury or the Isle of Wight.
"When people think of classical music they always think of top hat and tails, or worry about whether they are allowed to cough, but outdoor Proms concerts are a much more relaxed experience," he said.
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"You can see a young couple sitting on a blanket in T-shirts and jeans next to a group of eight people in dinner jackets with actual servants serving them throughout the evening.
"Classical music, I think has a much wider appeal than just one artist who you either going to like or not. As long as you programme it right for the audience by playing pieces they will recognise from adverts or films."
The BSO perform to audiences all over the world, but Brown said the Last Night of the Proms was peculiar to the British people, "who are slightly nuts anyway".
The spectacular climax sees thousands of Prommers sing along to patriotic classics such as Pomp and Circumstance, Fantasia on British Sea Songs and Jerusalem.
Set in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of Broadlands, the night will be rounded off with a stunning a fireworks display.
"The Last Night at the Proms experience is amazing, it is a quintessential British thing. It is the best of British," Mr Brown said.
"Our audience take on the Dunkirk spirit when the weather is inclement. They will come even if it is raining and they are almost even more determined to have a good time."
When:
Saturday, August 9
Tickets:
£19 or £18 for groups - early bird
£21 or £20 for groups - advance
£24 on the day
£12 for children aged four to 16 and full-time students (at the gate only)
Box Offices:
BSO: 01202 669925
BIC: 0870 112 1812
Southampton Mayflower: 023 8071 1818.
Romsey TIC: 01794 512987
Getting there:
Broadlands lies just to the south of Romsey town centre on the A3090. Parking for the concert is free of charge - follow the brown tourist signs. The nearest train station is Romsey. Contact railinquiries.co.uk for train times. Taxis should be available: a single journey should cost approximately £4. Time:The grounds are open for picnics prior to the concert at 6.00pm. The concert should finish at approximately 10.25pm.
Performance schedule:
Borodin: Prince Igor Overture. Herold: Clog Dance from La Fille Mal. GardeeSchoenberg/Boublil: Stars from Les Miserables. Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty Rose Adagio & Waltz. Rodgers: Soliloquy from Carousel. Suppe: Light Cavalry March Overture. Strauss: Thunder & Lightning. PolkaBadelt/Zimmer: Pirates of the Caribbean. Mozart: The Magic Flute, The Birdcatcher Am I. Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King. Elgar: Pomp & Circumstance March No.4. Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greesleeves. Sullivan: The Mikado's Song. Walton: Crown Imperial March. Parry: Jerusalem. Wood: Fantasia on British Sea Songs. Elgar: Pomp & Circumstance March No.1
Performers
Conductor: Lancelot Fuhry
Soloist: Earl Carpenter (Presenter)
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