Bristol’s Oscar-winning animation stars Wallace and Gromit are hoping for a grand day out as probably the unlikeliest performers ever to grace the BBC Proms.
Organisers of the renown classical music concert series today announced the Claymation couple’s Concerto in Ee, Lad will feature in this year’s programme.
They said the piece – based on the soundtrack for the pair's latest feature film outing A Matter Of Loaf And Death – will capture the “warmth, grittiness and gumption” of their down-to-earth nature when it is performed by an orchestra for the first time at the high-brow festival. It will be played as the film is screened.
Wallace and Gromit have become Bristol-based Aardman’s most succcessful creations since first appearing in short films by Nick Park.
BBC Radio 3 controller and BBC Proms director Roger Wright said: “This is a way of introducing orchestral music to families of all ages and Wallace and Gromit will help us do that."
This year's concerts, which begin on Friday July 13, also include performances inspired by the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games.
Wallace and Gromit will take their place alongside classical musical more in keeping with the Proms tradition, although this year there will be a Beatles medley alongside the Bach and Beethoven.
“As some of the best-loved British institutions it seems natural to put the Proms together with Wallace and Gromit said Mr Wright.
Performances will be broadcast on Radio 3 and also shown on BBC2 and BBC4. Tickets go on sale on Saturday May 12.
