The world’s greatest classical music festival comes to St George’s Hall in Bradford on Sunday 7 September with the UK premiere of Angélique Kidjo’s African Symphony, as part of the BBC’s partnership with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Alongside eight weeks of music making at the Royal Albert Hall featuring orchestras and soloists from across the globe, BBC Proms travels across the UK with a series of unique concerts, all to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
For Proms Bradford, five-time GRAMMY Award-winner Angélique Kidjo joins the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Chris Cameron, to perform the UK premiere of her African Symphony. Following her Proms debut back in 2019, the Benin-born ‘queen of African music’ brings a showcase as part of the BBC’s activities in the city during
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, paying tribute to her African heritage and taking in iconic tracks from legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Youssou N’Dour.
Sam Jackson, Controller, Radio 3 and BBC Proms, says: “I’m thrilled to be making our Proms debut in Bradford as part of City of Culture, with a symphonic celebration of music from the incredible Angélique Kidjo. The Proms was founded in 1895 on the belief that everyone should have access to the very best of classical music, so I am delighted that our concerts across the UK reach audiences on their own doorstep, as well as being broadcast on Radio 3.”
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture says: “We are delighted to be welcoming Angelique Kidjo to Bradford, bringing her unique sounds, perspective and outlook to our city – audiences are in for a real treat. This is a first for our city, to have the Proms in the district, and I’m delighted that Bradford 2025 have been able to make this happen in collaboration with the BBC.”
Culture Minister, Sir Chris Bryant, says: “BBC Proms is an iconic part of our British cultural scene, attracting visitors and fans from around the world, and it is only right that as part of their year as UK City of Culture, Bradford should be the proud hosts of yet another fantastic display of classical music.
“I would encourage the people of Bradford and beyond to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to experience the BBC Proms as part of their programme.”
Other Proms across the UK include residencies at Gateshead’s Glasshouse International Centre of Music and Bristol Beacon, and one-off concerts at Sunderland Fire Station, St Georges, Bristol and Ulster Hall in Belfast.
Angelique Kidjo’s African Symphony will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.