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David Pickard announced as BBC Proms director

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 27 May 2015

General Director at Glyndebourne David Pickard has been announced as the new Director of the BBC Proms. Taking up the role later this year, he will report to the new Controller of BBC Radio 3 Alan Davey. Both roles were previously held by Roger Wright, who left the BBC last year.

Says Davey: “David comes from a background of musical excellence and exploration, and will bring a whole host of fresh ideas to help us ensure the greatest classical music festival in the world continues to provide the place for people to discover and rediscover the best classical music. His achievements at Glyndebourne have included the discovery of exciting new artistic talent and the establishment of a range of new initiatives to bring opera to wider audiences through Glyndebourne’s touring, education and digital activities”.

Pickard added: “I am honoured to be asked to take up the role of Director, BBC Proms, and to follow in the line of such distinguished predecessors. After fourteen wonderful years at Glyndebourne, I count myself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to lead another of this country’s most exciting arts organisations”.

He went on: “Like so many people, my interest in classical music was inspired by visits to the Proms as a teenager and it has been my privilege to play a role as a contributor for the past 20 years, firstly with the Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment and more recently with the annual Glyndebourne Prom. I look forward now to building on the founding principles of the Proms – to bring world-class classical music to the widest possible audience”.

This year’s Proms season will be overseen by Edward Blakeman, ahead of Pickard’s arrival.