Albert covered in pure gold leaf. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and erected in 1872, he was commissioned by Queen Victoria after her beloved Albert died of typhoid.
Albert looks down on the Royal Albert Hall where we were tonight for a lovely prom with Marin Alsop conducting the Sao Paolo SO in a programme of American-themed music: Dvorak's New World, Copland's Fanfare and some more unusual pieces and encores from Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos, Argentinian Ginastera and others.
Continuing the Olympic theme - as it was the Sao Paolo SO, there seemed to be many Brazilians in the audience as attested by the two large Brazilian flags being waved about and the presence of what looked like a Brazilian embassy car outside.
However, that was probably the most badly behaved prom audience I have ever encountered. There was clapping between movements (controversial - it's traditional not to, but a lot of newer visitors to concerts can't understand why you don't - however it was fairly obvious that the conductor found it irksome, so that should have been enough to get people to not do it); somebody clapping before the music had finished; a very cheesy mobile phone going off; people talking through the music; a latecomer coming in with what sounded like steel toecaps on his shoes; and the usual consumptive coughing. I couldn't quite believe it - and it was particularly sublime beautiful music tonight full of atmosphere and resonance. Didn't ruin my night though.
We'd had a very nice Lebanese mezze platter before that with Sally and Terry at the Comptoir Libanais - very nice and especially their halloumi steaks (extra large bits of halloumi deep-fried, no beef in sight).
Wow, he's cleaned up beautifully since I last saw him.........sounds a really irritating audience, why don't people know how to behave?!! A lovely shot against a sublime sky
Well what a sorry lot - somebody should have had words. I'm surprised people weren't rustling sweet wrappers as well. Albert looking resplendent though and the food sounds fab.
