On September 13, 2025, the BBC Proms concluded its season with a memorable Last Night at the Royal Albert Hall, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." The event featured a landmark performance of the iconic song, with Queen's guitarist Sir Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor joining forces with rising West End star Sam Oladeinde. This collaboration brought a unique blend of rock and classical music to the prestigious classical music festival. (itsallentertainment.blog)
The evening was conducted by Elim Chan, marking the first time a female conductor led the Last Night of the Proms. The program also included performances by soprano Louise Alder and trumpeter Alison Balsom. Comedian Bill Bailey made his Proms debut with a rendition of Leroy Anderson’s "The Typewriter," adding a touch of humor to the night's proceedings. (itsallentertainment.blog)
The concert featured two world premieres: "Fireworks" by Camille Pépin and "The Gathering Tree" by Rachel Portman, the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score. These compositions added contemporary flair to the evening's repertoire. (itsallentertainment.blog)
The performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" was a highlight, with May and Taylor expressing their enthusiasm for the collaboration. They remarked, "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!" (itsallentertainment.blog)
This fusion of rock and classical music, along with the historic milestones achieved during the event, has garnered significant attention, leading to a surge in searches for Roger Taylor in the United Kingdom.