BSO showcased at G7 Ministers’ meeting

The Orchestra is thrilled that its livestreamed performances will be showcased this week at a meeting of G7 ministers. Hosted by the UK’s Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, the meeting includes G7 Digital, Technology and Culture Ministers from around the globe.

The BSO was one of the first British ensembles to broadcast its live performances following the first national lockdown in 2020. During the first six months of its inaugural livestreamed series, the BSO sold 38,000 digital tickets to audiences around the world; the Orchestra increased its audience by almost 30% during the period, with 65,000 views of its performances.

Broadcasting each Wednesday evening from Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra has performed using a specially-built stage extension to enable its musicians to play socially distanced. Its concerts have been presented by some of the UK’s leading broadcasters, including BBC Radio 3’s Katie Derham, Martin Handley and Sarah Walker, and Classic FM’s Catherine Bott. During autumn 2020 the BSO was also able to welcome a physical audience into the hall.

An extract of the BSO’s performance of Walton’s Henry V suite, under the baton of Mark Wigglesworth, will be shared during the ministers’ meeting.

Dougie Scarfe, the BSO’s Chief Executive, said, “It is an honour to be asked to represent the best in UK digital content; we’re proud that the UK Government recognises the work that Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra has undertaken to adapt to a new model of working and keep live symphonic music alive during the last year.”

The UK Government is taking on the Presidency of G7 at a critical time for the world. With new vaccines offering a way to end the pandemic, it will use the G7 Presidency to build back better from coronavirus.

The Digital and Tech Ministerial Track is under the theme of ‘building back better’. It will seek to demonstrate the G7’s ambition to place the needs of open, democratic societies at the heart of the technology debate and the need for a trusted, values-driven digital ecosystem that can enhance prosperity in a way that is both sustainable and inclusive.

An extract from the Orchestra’s 14 April performance: