Bell toll opens Bristol Proms

29 July 2013, 16:05 | Updated: 29 July 2013, 16:16

The Bristol Proms have been officially opened by Laurence Llewellyn Bowen, who rang the fourth largest bell in the country, Great George, to kick things off.

The festival, which takes over the Bristol Old Vic theatre from today until Saturday, is designed to innovate new ways of presenting classical music concerts.

Tonight's concerts include the Fitzhardinge Consort playing a concert completely in the dark, hotly-tipped pianist Jan Lisiecki playing a special recital that is filmed from a variety of angles live on stage, and a late-night show from Hauschka, with his brand of prepared piano music.

Other concerts this week include the a cappella vocal group Voces8 playing half a concert in the Old Vic and at St Mary Redcliffe Church, as well as blockbusting recitals from violinist Nicola Benedetti, and Daniel Hope performing Max Richter's recomposition of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.