Knebworth Proms ‘a joy and treat’ despite Sunday’s rain

Fireworks at the end of The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Knebworth Proms began on Saturday, August 19 with Classic Ibiza, in association with Ministry of Sound.

The summer’s coolest open-air classical dance party saw the Urban Soul Orchestra (USO) and DJ Goldierocks perform some of the biggest dance tracks from the last 20 years.

The concert in the grounds of Knebworth House started with a chill-out set and, as the sun went down, the vocalists and USO’s dynamic musicians ramped things up as the evening broke into festive-club mode with accompanying lasers.

USO conductor Stephen Hussey said: “What an evening! For a musician there is no better experience than playing some of your favourite tracks to a live audience of thousands that were seriously into the music and clearly getting off on the vibe.

“The energy that the crowd gave us took our performance to another level. Thank you Knebworth.”

On Sunday, August 20, Knebworth Park hosted The Great British Prom, a feast of music from across the home nations.

Despite the evening’s rain and concertgoers sheltering under umbrellas, the audience stuck around to see The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the world famous Anthony Inglis.

The NSO was joined live on stage by renowned artists such as soprano Annette Wardell, Classical Brit Award-winning Welsh vocal group Only Men Aloud and The Band of the Home Counties Pipes and Drums.

Conductor Anthony Inglis tweeted: “Well that was fun.

“Rain fell throughout the evening at @GBProms @KnebworthHouse yet the audience stayed till the end. Fun had by all.”

Concertgoers also witnessed Letchworth-based choir City Chorus, the winner of the Knebworth Great British Prom Choir Competition, perform Jerusalem.

The evening concluded with a fireworks finale choreographed to the music.

City Chorus commented on their Facebook page: “What a fantastic finale to a superb day!

“An amazing experience from start to end! Thank you all who made it possible. Great British Prom, the organisation was so slick and you looked after us brilliantly.

“Anthony Inglis you are surely a national treasure. Annette Wardell... what a voice!

“Only Men Aloud so talented, a fun bunch of guys and proper gents. Knebworth House thank you for letting us sing in your garden!”

Both Knebworth concerts were organised by Revival Productions.

Lisa Ward, director of Revival Productions, said: “We had two amazing nights at Knebworth.

“Thank you to everyone that came, especially those that braved the delightful weather on Sunday.

“Having organised similar concerts elsewhere in the country we knew that the formula worked well but we were not prepared for the reaction of the audience. It blew us all away!

“I am sure that this was in no small part due to the spectacular Knebworth setting.

“Thank you to Knebworth for hosting us, and everyone that came along. We hope to see you all again next year.”

Knebworth House’s Martha Lytton Cobbold, managing director at Lytton Enterprises, was delighted at the weekend’s musical mix.

She said: “What a joy and treat it was for the thousands who came and enjoyed the stunning and magical shows of Classic Ibiza and the Proms this weekend at Knebworth Park.

The National Symphony Orchestra perform at The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

“Revival Productions put on an amazing combination of orchestral music, artistic talent with soaring voices and extraordinary DJ mixing, lights and fireworks which left the audience wanting more, even with the less-than-perfect weather Sunday night.

“It was quite a sight to see so many dancing in unison on Saturday to the Ibiza tunes, and under their brollies and singing along with gusto at the Proms.”

The Knebworth Proms supported Letchworth-based charity Garden House Hospice Care.

The Great British Prom 2017: The National Symphony Orchestra. (Image: Archant)

This worthy cause received £1 from every programme sold on the night.

• Classic Ibiza and The Great British Prom will be visiting Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire on September 1-2.

For tickets, visit www.classicibiza.co.uk or www.greatbritishprom.co.uk or call 01630 674342.

Fireworks at the end of The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

Fireworks at the end of The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

Fireworks at the end of The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017 - Only Men Aloud. (Image: Archant)

Annette Wardell on stage at The Great British Prom 2017 (Image: Archant)

The pipe band at The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Mrs Lowe, Mrs Harper and Mrs Poole enjoy the day out. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Only Men Aloud. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Emily Hardy and Eleanor Hardy, four, and Wendy Parsley enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Only Men Aloud on stage at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Simon and Susan Quainton. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Charles and Theresa Ward wrap up from the rain to enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Julie Welstead and John Henderson. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth House (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Letchworth Garden House Hospice team at Knebworth. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: The Skeggs family enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Isaac, six, and Connie, nine, enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Victoria and Helen Lomax keep warm whilst enjoying the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: The Karney family wrap up from the rain whilst enjoying the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Karen Tasker enjoys the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Ruth Davis enjoy the concert at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Sue Spicer, Karen Clayton, Ruth Davis and Karen Tasker enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Debbie and Steve Durbridge cover up to watch the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Holly Lambert, aged five, and Diana Lambert watch the concert in their tent. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Michael, Kate and Clair shelter from the rain. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Adam Nicholas and Sophie Hillier. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: William and Tiernan shelter from the rain. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Helen George and Umesh Raval enjoy the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Jan and Eleanor Inglis keep dry whilst enjoying the concert. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017 at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: Choir City Chorus on stage at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: The Webb family enjoy the concert at Knebworth (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017 - Choir City Chorus. (Image: Archant)

The Great British Prom 2017: The National Symphony Orchestra. (Image: Archant)