The sun-soaked evening of classical music delivered cinematic drama and soaring vocals as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra took over Hyde Park once again.
Classical music under the open sky has become a midsummer ritual at BST Hyde Park, and All Things Orchestral just cemented its place as one of the festival’s most beloved traditions. On Thursday 2 July, the event returned for its fourth year as part of the Open House programme, bringing the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra back to the Great Oak Stage for an evening that blended cinematic grandeur with pure vocal power.
Hosted once again by Myleene Klass MBE—who’s made the gig her own over three previous appearances—the night unfolded with the kind of easy charm that only happens when world-class musicianship meets a crowd armed with picnic blankets and ice cream. Conducted by Stephen Bell, the orchestra worked through a mesmerising programme that leaned heavily into Cinematic Classics, and the crowd lapped it up.
Alfie Boe brings the drama
Special guest Alfie Boe was the evening’s not-so-secret weapon. His performance of Lensky’s Aria and Nessun Dorma drew huge applause from the sun-soaked crowd, but it was the second half where things really kicked off. The tension of the Jaws theme rippled through the park, followed by the swashbuckling energy of the Pirates of the Caribbean suite. Boe returned to deliver a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Misérables, then closed with Eduardo di Capua’s O Sole Mio—pure, unapologetic showmanship.
“Didn’t you enjoy Alfie Boe? Wasn’t he just magnificent?” Klass asked the crowd at the end of the night, and the roar back told you everything. “It has been very special indeed, classical music in the sun as you enjoy a drink and an ice cream in Park! So can we take a moment to applaud the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Thank you for joining tonight at BST Hyde Park.”
A lineup that keeps raising the bar
All Things Orchestral has built serious momentum over the years, hosting everyone from acclaimed US composer Laura Karpman to violinist Esther Abrami and guitarist MILǑŠ. Last year’s edition even featured the world premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps Suite, composed by Oscar-winner Michael Giacchino. It’s a series that knows how to balance reverence for tradition with a genuine sense of occasion.
Stephen Bell, a British conductor trained under Norman Del Mar at the Royal College of Music, has built an international career leading ensembles from the Hallé Pops to the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. His work spans BBC Proms appearances, television broadcasts, and collaborations across classical, pop, and folk. Meanwhile, Klass—classically trained musician, TV and radio presenter, and bestselling author—has been a fixture on Classic FM and Smooth Radio since 2006 and 2014 respectively, and her multiple No.1 classical albums speak for themselves.
BST Hyde Park’s Open House programme ran across two weeks this summer, from Monday 29 June to Thursday 2 July and Monday 6 July to Thursday 9 July. Alongside All Things Orchestral, the lineup included Run With Mo on Tuesday 30 June—where Sir Mo Farah CBE led thousands through a 3km route around the park, complete with commemorative medals and a Q&A session hosted by Nihal Arthanayake—and The Hyde Park Darts Championship on Wednesday 8 July, a PDC Pro-Am tournament featuring Luke Humphries, Fallon Sherrock, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting paired with celebrity teammates.
The festival’s main weekend lineup this year brought Garth Brooks, ATEEZ, Maroon 5, Mumford & Sons, Duran Duran, Pitbull, and Lewis Capaldi to the legendary stage that’s hosted everyone from The Rolling Stones and Elton John to Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen. It’s the kind of setting that adds a layer of magic to every performance—classical or otherwise—and one of the summer festival experiences that keeps getting better.
If you missed this year’s edition, keep your eyes on the BST Hyde Park website for next summer’s announcements—and start planning your picnic setup now.
