First Promenade Concert at Queen's Hall opens the Proms

Background. Promenade concerts originated in London's pleasure gardens, allowing audiences to stroll during performances. Indoor proms became part of London's musical life in the 19th century. Robert Newman, an experienced impresario, sought to broaden the audience for concert hall music by offering low ticket prices and an informal atmosphere where eating, drinking, and smoking were permitted.

Organization. Robert Newman proposed a ten-week season of promenade concerts at the Queen's Hall. He engaged Henry Wood to conduct, offering a mixture of classical and popular music at low prices. George Cathcart provided financial backing on the condition that Wood be employed as the sole conductor.

The Concert. The first concert took place on 10 August 1895 at the Queen's Hall in Langham Place. It opened with Wagner's Rienzi overture. Henry Wood was responsible for building the repertoire heard as the series continued. The event established the standards for the annual summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts.