James Loughran, who has died aged 92, served as principal conductor of the Hallé Orchestra for 12 years, succeeding John Barbirolli; he was also a popular figure at the Proms; he made at least 47 appearances, including five Last Nights, where he began the tradition of ending the season with a single audience for Auld… Read More »
From wartime dance hall to boxing arena and political rally venue, Belfast’s Ulster Hall has a grand and tumultuous history dating back to 1862. Charles Dickens performed here; Protestant loyalist Ian Paisley made impassioned speeches; Led Zeppelin performed Stairway to Heaven for the first time. Since 2009 it has been home to the Ulster Orchestra,… Read More »
The BBC today announced details of this summer’s Proms festival, which will feature 90 concerts over eight weeks. Daniel Barenboim will make a rare visit, conducting the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, which he and Palestinian-American academic Edward Said founded 25 years ago. The 81-year-old conductor has almost given up performing concerts due to a neurological condition… Read More »