Last Night of the Proms
A wonderful assignment for Finland’s largest daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat to cover the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
There was extra interest in Finland for the 2017 Proms as Finnish composer Lotta Wennäkoski opened the last Prom (Prom 75) with her new piece ‘Flounce’ conducted by the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor the Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo.
We met up with Lotta the day before and I photographed her outside the Royal Albert Hall and the following day as she listened inside the empty hall to the final rehearsals led by Sakari. The next time I saw her was on the Last Night of the Proms as she stood up amongst the audience on a request by Sakari and she received a huge long lasting applause from the audience after her Flounce had been performed.
Also for Helsingin Sanomat before the doors opened we also met up with many colourful flag dressed ’Promers’ who were queuing to get in.
It was absolutely amazing to have experienced the fun, traditional Last Night of the Proms from standing in the Arena and to have seen & heard the patriotic singing of Rule, Britannia!, Land of Hope and Glory. Brilliant!
