The biggest orchestra and the biggest stage yet are coming to Glamis Castle for the return of the Grand Scottish Prom.
Excitement was rising on Wednesday as top management for the prom got the “good to go” message from Angus Council officials, clearing health and safety and other crucial arrangements for the massive event at the end of next month.
Castle administrator David Broadfoot said, “They just want to make sure we have obeyed all the rules, which we have. It is a big responsibility we are looking after up to 5000 people as well as entertaining them.”
Event director Tony Walton said the 19th prom will be the best ever, with something for everyone on the programme. It features 23-year-old Italian tenor Giordano Luca, who won the audience prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2009.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra is sending its biggest ever orchestra. “It will be 72 musicians,” said Mr Walton. “They will be performing on the biggest stage that has ever been here. It is a massive stage.”
He raved about the sound system which will allow the vast crowd to hear every tiny tinkle of a note with superb clarity. “The power of that orchestra will be amazing and add to that one of the most refined audio systems there has ever been. Wherever people are seated they will hear the most minute violin tone.”
Reaction Fireworks, winner of this year’s Scottish Fireworks Championships, will be in charge of the display that delivers the culminating thrill.
As ever the programme is designed to appeal to all ages and tastes, with popular film tunes included. “It’s not exclusively for those that like the opera classics,” Mr Broadfoot said . “There are some lovely lights, from Jurassic Park to Braveheart.”
A very appropriate and “beautiful piece” making its prom premiere will be Elizabeth of Glamis, written by Eric Coates. “It is a very haunting melody and very appropriate for Glamis Castle,” he added.
Mr Walton said, “As well as presenting the largest orchestra on the biggest stage, it will probably be the most challenging and broadest programme that has ever been played here.”
Tickets are being snapped up, with corporate hospitality sold out.
“It is the setting that is amazing and we get everyone from people with candelabras and gazebos to people pitching up with their old garden chair,” Mr Broadfoot said.