This year marks 50 years since the release of Freddie Mercury’s Queen masterpiece, Bohemian Rhapsody.
And now the UK’s third best-selling single of all time will be celebrated by Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor in a very special way.
Tomorrow at the Last Night of the Proms, the two active Queen band members will join Sam Oladeinde, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, BBC Singers and National Youth Choir for a new orchestral arrangement of the song.
Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor said of performing at the Royal Albert Hall: “What a splendid way to celebrate a Queen masterpiece in its 50th year: Bohemian Rhapsody performed with a 100-piece BBC Symphony Orchestra and a choir of over 150 singers – on the most prestigious night of the year in The Royal Albert Hall. Freddie will be loving it!”
Posting the news on his Instagram, Sir Brian enthused: “YES !!! It shall happen ! We’ve been working on this for a while – a new orchestral arrangement of Bo Rhap to celebrate its 50th birthday. And the kind of opportunity I love — to do something that’s never been done before. As far as we know, an electric guitar has never been heard on the Last Night before … and now it shall be !!! Tune in ! Cheers ! Bri.”
The Last Night of the Proms takes place on Saturday 13 September live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC iPlayer and in two parts: Part 1 on BBC Two from 6.55pm, and the Finale on BBC One at 9pm.