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Highlights from the BBC Proms, the UK's greatest classical music festival

Highlights from the BBC Proms, the UK's greatest classical music festival.

Memorable performances from the Proms season of classical concerts, recorded in the unique atmosphere of the Royal Albert Hall in London.

BBC Proms on the World Service: BBC Proms 2019: West Africa meets Cuba: Angélique Kidjo's electrifying tribute to Celia Cruz

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prom2_angelique kidjo amidst the audience at the BBC Proms 2019 (30/07/2019)  BBC

10/08/2019 GMT

West Africa meets Cuba: Angélique Kidjo's electrifying tribute to Celia Cruz

BBC Proms 2019

BBC World Service - BBC Proms on the World Service, BBC Proms 2019, West Africa meets Cuba: Angélique Kidjo's electrifying tribute to Celia Cruz

Scintillating covers of classic salsa tracks by one of Africa's most distinctive voices

The great Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo makes everyone in London's Royal Albert Hall dance with her exhilarating take on music of the 'Salsa Queen'.

Angélique Kidjo, 'the undisputed queen of African music' and three-time Grammy Award-winner, makes her Proms debut performing new versions of songs made famous by the celebrated Cuban singer Celia Cruz. 

Tracklist:
Baila Yemaya
Cucala
Sahara
Quimbara
Toro Mata
La Vida es un Carnaval
Oya Diosa
Once in a Lifetime	
Afirika

Kidjo grew up in Benin, West Africa, listening to Cruz's salsa and found it an important inspiration. She later discovered that some of Cruz's tracks were influenced by traditional Yoruba music which migrated from West Africa to the Caribbean with slave workers. In 2019 Kidjo re-imagined Cruz's tracks for the 21st century, adding new layers of African rhythms and musical colours. The resulting vibrant sounds, combined with Kidjo's irrepressible stage presence, made for a rare sight in the Royal Albert Hall: most of the audience danced throughout the show, not just the people in the promenade by the stage but also those in the stalls, loggia boxes and the gallery.

Joining BBC Radio 3's Georgia Mann to introduce the concert is Beninese journalist Laeila Adjovi.

(Photo: Angelique Kidjo with members of the Proms audience. Credit: BBC/Mark Allan)

BBC Proms on the World Service: BBC Proms 2019

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Highlights from the 2019 season of BBC Proms, the UK's greatest classical music festival.

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BBC Proms 2019

West Africa meets Cuba: Angélique Kidjo's electrifying tribute to Celia Cruz

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