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    London 2012 Olympics: The Opening Ceremony - Rowan Atkinson, Sir Simon Rattle, the LSO and more!

    We were as gripped by the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony as anyone else. It had a distinctly classical music flavour and, with The London Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim and Sir Simon Rattle appearing, it was an event to be proud of.

    1. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      1. Bradley Wiggins gets the party started

      Tour de France champ Bradley Wiggins kicks off the London 2012 Opening Ceremony by ringing the Olympic bell.

    2. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      2. Bradley WIgging begins the 2012 Opening Ceremony

      Recent Tour de France champion and British cyclist Bradley Wiggins strikes the Olympic Bell to begin the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

    3. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      3. Kenneth Branagh as Isambard Kingdom Brunel

      The celebrated actor played a central role in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

    4. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      4. Stratford's night sky is lit up...

      A spectacular firework display takes place over the London 2012 Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony.

    5. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      5. London 2012 Opening Ceremony - a bird's eye view

      A different perspective on one of the greatest Olympic opening ceremonies in history.

    6. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      6. The Opening Ceremony and the industrial age

      In a dazzling production, Artistic Director Danny Boyle tells the story of the UK - from pastoral scenes, through to the industrial and digital age.

    7. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      7. Five steel Olympic rings rise into the sky

      As a climax to the London 2012 Opening Ceremony's 'Industrail Age' scene, five Olympic rings float into the sky from a forge.

    8. Bedknobs and Broomsticks Opening Ceremony

      8. Bedknobs and Broomsticks Opening Ceremony

    9. JK Rowling Opening Ceremony

      9. JK Rowling Opening Ceremony

    10. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      10. Rowan Atkinson takes a bow

      Following his hilarious rendition of Chariots Of Fire, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, Rowan Atkinson takes a bow.

    11. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      11. Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra

      During one of the night's lighter moments, Sir Simon Rattle conducts the LSO through a version of Chariots of Fire... with Mr Bean

    12. Simon Rattle Chariots of Fire Opening Ceremony

      12. Simon Rattle Chariots of Fire

    13. Chariots of Fire Rowan Atkinson Mr Bean

      13. Chariots of Fire Rowan Atkinson

    14. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      14. Lonbdon Symphony Orchestra at the Opening Ceremony

      The LSO played a brilliant - and hilarious - role at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

    15. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      15. Mr Bean and the London Symphony Orchestra

      Rowan Atkinson brings the house down as his comic character Mr Bean joins in with the LSO for a rendition of Chariots Of Fire.

    16. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      16. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      A huge light show and spectacular fireworks defined an amazing night.

    17. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      17. Drummers at the Olympic Opening Ceremony

      And where would an Olympic Opening Ceremony be without drummers? And lots of them...

    18. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      18. The digital age at the London 2012 Olympics

      In a ceremony celebrating technology and the digital age, a British house plays host to the technological developments over the past few decades.

    19. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      19. The London 2012 Olympic Ceremony

      Among one of the most touching scenes, a dancer is hoisted towards the sun.

    20. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      20. An amazing view of the London 2012 Stadium

      The Olympic stadium is lit up during the Opening Ceremony.

    21. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      21. Beatlemania at the London 2012 Olympics

      The Beatles' Yellow Submarine makes an appearance at the Olympics.

    22. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      22. Fireworks celebrate the Olympics' arrival

      Another dazzling scene as Artistic Director Danny Boyle spectacularly signals the arrival of the Olympics in London.

    23. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      23. Fireworks above the London 2012 Olympic Ceremony

      An extraordinary ceremony is crowned by a huge firework display.

    24. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      24. The amazing scenes inside the London 2012 Olympic Stadium

      An incredible light show illuminates the incredible Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

    25. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      25. Fireworks over London

      A dazzling firework display lights up London.

    26. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      26. NHS workers and patients from Great Ormond Street Hospital

      In a tribute to the sterling work of the NHS, its workers, some patients of Great Ormond Street Hospital and dancers paid tribute to their tireless efforts.

    27. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      27. Her Majesty The Queen opens The Olympics

      After Lord Sebastian Coe had addressed the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, Her Majesty the Queen officially declared the Games open.

    28. Daniel Barenboim Olympic Opening Ceremony

      28. Daniel Barenboim Olympic Opening Ceremony

    29. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      29. Sir Chris Hoy and Team GB

      Sir Chris Hoy proudly leads the British athletes set to take part in The London 2012 Olympics over the next couple of weeks.

    30. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      30. Team GB arrive at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony

      Sir Chris Hoy leads out Team GB at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

    31. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      31. Daniel Barenboim carries the Olympic flag

      Daniel Barenboim is among those selected to take the Olympic Flag in to the London 2012 stadium.

    32. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      32. Lord Sebastian Coe addresses the London 2012 Opening Ceremony

      Before the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, Lord Sebastian Coe addresses the stadium.

    33. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      33. The Olympic Flag is hoisted above London

      Members of the Armed Forces march the Olympic Flag to be raised above the London 2012 Stadium.

    34. Olympic Opening Ceremony flags hill

      34. Nimrod

    35. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      35. Fireworks above the Olympic stadium

      The venue for much of the track and field events is lit up with fireworks.

    36. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      36. Sir Steve Redgrave

      Following much speculation over who would light the Olympic Cauldron, SIr Steve Redgrave passes the torch on to seven young British athletes, who finally signal the official beginning of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    37. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      37. The lighting of the Olympic Cauldron

      The games officially get underway.

    38. Olympic Opening Ceremony fireworks

      38. The stunning finale...

    39. London 2012 Olympics - The Opening Ceremony

      39. Fireworks above the London 2012 Olympic Ceremony

      An extraordinary ceremony is crowned by a huge firework display.

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