A ROYAL concert starring the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, was held at Buckingham Palace last week.

It is believed to be the first time the world famous orchestra has performed at the royal household for around 50 years.

Hosted by the BSO’s patron, Princess Alexandra, the event on Monday, February 12, was a special celebration of four organisations and their work for those living with dementia.

Dougie Scarfe, chief executive officer of the BSO, said: “It was an honour for the BSO to perform at Buckingham Palace for our royal patron Princess Alexandra.

“This concert celebrated music’s ability to unite people and enrich lives, especially those living with dementia.

“We were delighted to work alongside Alzheimer’s Society, Wigmore Hall and the London Philharmonic Choir for this memorable concert. I am extremely proud of the BSO, the work we do and what we stand for.”

The Princess met representatives of each of the four organisations in the picture gallery before the concert began in the ballroom.

Under the baton of the BSO’s chief conductor, Kirill Karabits, the programme featured Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin and Wagner’s Arrival of the Guests at Wartburg from Tannhäuser.

The London Philharmonic Choir sang Handel’s Zadok the Priest, accompanied by the BSO, and Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, as well as performances by the Singing for Life Choir and the Singing for the Brain Choir.

For the finale, all of the choirs and the BSO joined together to perform Wagner’s Pilgrim’s Chorus from Tannhäuser.

Over the last 12 months, the BSO has embedded working with people living with dementia at the heart of its practice.

The orchestra’s work was recognised at the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Awards in November 2017, where it was awarded Dementia Friendly Organisation of the Year.

A fundamental part of its mission, is to work beyond the concert hall, and BSO Participate offers people across the south and south west, the opportunity to experience music through five specially tailored and distinct strands of activity.

Boost is Participate’s strand of work which focusses on health and wellbeing through music.

The orchestra has delivered pioneering projects which have made a real difference to people living with dementia, and their carers, in a range of different settings.