A highly anticipated performance by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at London's prestigious BBC Proms was dramatically interrupted on Wednesday evening when pro-Palestine protestors brought the concert to a temporary standstill.
The incident occurred at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall during the orchestra's rendition of Edward Elgar's 'Enigma Variations'. Several protestors stood up from their seats in the auditorium, unveiling banners and chanting slogans calling for a cultural boycott of Israel.
Conductor Sir Andrew Davis paused the performance as security staff moved swiftly to escort the demonstrators from the hall. The disruption lasted approximately ten minutes before order was restored and the concert could continue.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'No music during genocide' before the protestors were removed. The BBC later confirmed the incident had been dealt with promptly to minimise disruption to both performers and audience members.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is currently on its first European tour in over a decade, with the BBC Proms representing a highlight of their international schedule. Despite the interruption, the orchestra received a standing ovation upon completion of their performance.
A spokesperson for the BBC Proms stated: 'We respect the right to peaceful protest, but the BBC Proms is not an appropriate platform for such demonstrations. We apologise to audience members and performers for this interruption.'
Protest groups have increasingly targeted cultural institutions in what they describe as efforts to highlight Israel's actions in Gaza. The Royal Albert Hall incident follows similar disruptions at other high-profile cultural events across Europe.
