Nicola Benedetti gives “spellbinding“ performance on the Last Night of the BBC Proms

Nicola Benedetti performs at the Last Night of the 2020 BBC Proms Live from Royal Albert Hall

BBC Proms: Nicola Benedetti gives “spellbinding“ last-minute performance says Nicola Sturgeon

By Caitlin Hutchison
The Scotland Herald
September 13, 2020

Nicola Benedetti stepped in at the last minute to deliver a "spellbinding" performance at the Last Night of the Proms 2020.

The Scottish virtuoso, from West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, filled the spot of German violinist Lisa Batiashvili after she pulled out due to illness.

The First Minister called Benedetti's performance “spellbinding“, while BBC Proms thanked Benedetti for the “gorgeous, unforgettable final notes of Vaughan Williams‘ The Lark Ascending“.

The Last Night of the Proms 2020 drew to a close last night, after weeks of heated debate over whether or not singing would be permitted.

The BBC previously said the traditional songs Rule, Britannia! and Land of Hope And Glory would be performed without lyrics but the decision was overturned.

A reduced orchestra of 65 instead of the usual 300 performed live at the Royal Albert Hall – but without an audience due to coronavirus restrictions – with the singers placed in the stalls to ensure social distancing.

The concert featured South African soprano Golda Schultz with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under its principal guest conductor Dalia Stasevska.

Introducing the show, host Katie Derham said: “Our orchestra, singers and some very special guests are standing by for an evening of classical treats, show songs and all your traditional favourites.”

The show was screened in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to a socially distanced audience of hundreds.

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