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McCartney and John top Jubilee gig Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa are among the big names headlining two special open-air concerts to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in June. The Party
The classical and pop concerts - Prom at the Palace and Party at the Palace - will be held in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on 1 and 3 June respectively. "It will be a very big and spectacular cast," Royal communications secretary Simon Walker told BBC Breakfast News. "British music has been dominant internationally throughout the Queen's reign, so picking some of the biggest stars of that period but also some of the current pop idols of the day seems a very good way to do it," he said. Among the classical singers appearing at the Prom at the Palace are Sir Thomas Allen, the most acclaimed British baritone of his generation, and the husband-and-wife team Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu. Conductor Sir Andrew Davies and Mstislav Rostropovich, who is often named as the world's greatest living cellist, will also be appearing. Sir Thomas said the event was unique, and that there was "a sort of family feeling" about it. "I can't imagine something like this happening anywhere else in the world. There wouldn't be a reason for doing a concert like this anywhere else in the world," he told the BBC. "I think it'll be rather special." About 12,000 tickets will be allocated by ballot for each concert as the Royal Family aims to give everyone a fair chance of being part of the crowd. Tickets will be available online or by telephoning 0900 1952 2002. Applicants will find out if they have been successful in April. The Prom
The BBC will produce and broadcast both concerts - which take place over an extended bank holiday weekend - around the world. People will be able to watch the concerts on big screens set up in public parks around the country. To whet the public's appetite, comedian Rowan Atkinson will be starring in a one-minute television advertisement for the event. He will play a modern-day incarnation of his popular TV character Blackadder. Date: 26th February
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