Worldwide stars to play at the Proms

Korean violinist So-Ock Kim is among this year’s visitors to St James’

This year’s Islington Proms have a distinctly international flavour. Performers from four continents contribute to this series of concerts and recitals, which this year are compressed into a short season, instead of being scattered over many months.

They kick off on 9 June with the traditional late-afternoon Pocket Prom in the Vicarage garden (1a Arlington Square). Bring a picnic and enjoy the usual cocktail of chamber music and jazz in the open air. All the remaining Proms are in St James’ Church, Prebend Street, starting with an early evening concert on 10 June by Gut Instinct, a baroque chamber group who will be playing Buxtehude, Biber, Pachelbel and others on period instruments.

Canadian tenor Colin Ainsworth is among this year’s visitors to St James’

Then on 12 June there’s a recital by the Korean violinist So-Ock Kim accompanied by the Proms’ new artistic director, pianist Yoon Chung; 15 June sees Italian-Australian pianist Jonathan Ferrucci playing the second Anthony Hill Memorial Recital; on 16 June the annual Youth Prom brings together all the finest young musical talent in the neighbourhood; and the season concludes on 17 June with a concert by the Canadian operatic tenor Colin Ainsworth, accompanied by Suna Chung.

Tickets for most events are £15/£12 but you can save money by becoming a Friend of the Islington Proms. A donation of £50 will get you free admission to all six events, free drinks at the St James’ Proms, priority reserved seating where appropriate, an acknowledgement in the printed programmes, and the eternal gratitude of the Proms committee. If you are interested in becoming a Friend, please email info@islingtonproms.org.

More details of the 2018 season will be available soon on the Proms website: http://islingtonproms.org.