Dickon Stainer on 'revolutionary' classical performance

2 August 2014, 23:02 | Updated: 15 December 2016, 11:50

The President of Decca Records explains what makes the Bristol Old Vic so special, talking acoustics, classical performance, and challenging audience with digital innovation.

You can't say 'shhh', you can bring your drinks in, you can clap whenever you like; the rules of the Bristol Proms mean that really, there are no rules. But how do you get classical musicians to get involved with such a simple yet unusual concert series?

Dickon Stainer, President of Decca Records, told Classic FM's Jane Jones he has no problem booking artists to play the Bristol Old Vic. On the contrary: they're champing at the bit to play somewhere a little different, with its intimate spaces, unforgiving acoustic, and added digital elements.

"It's a really modern classical feel and the artists love that," he said. "They like the fact that it's a bit eclectic. Over the past couple of years this has become a favourite haunt for the artists!"