London 2012: It's your stage now, the world is watching. OT

[stuart n]

This has to be the highlight from yesterday. Pure TV gold right up there with howlers from Bush and Brown:

[centaurus18]

Can anyone tell me what the name of the piece of music is, that is played at the beginning of the Bond/Queen bit?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19020220

[Hatstand]

Can anyone tell me what the name of the piece of music is, that is played at the beginning of the Bond/Queen bit?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19020220

It's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", by Handel

[centaurus18]

Can anyone tell me what the name of the piece of music is, that is played at the beginning of the Bond/Queen bit?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19020220

It's "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba", by Handel

many thanks

[King Cobra]

Pink Floyd, perfect lyrics !!!!!

That bit gave me goose pimples.

[King Cobra]

Really, I'm embarrassed to call myself English after watching the first few minutes, I've had to switch it off!!

It's the British Olympics in case you hadn't noticed.

[King Cobra]

Is it me or is this opening ceremony embarrassing ,cringeworthy and so so boring......

It's you. Hope that helps.

Quality.

[King Cobra]

Involving Her Majesty was a masterstroke. James Bond and Mr. Bean would have been instantly recognised around the world so well done for including them. Without narrative maybe some parts would have been lost on viewers elsewhere but hey, this is our party and we'll party how we like. Was about stating who we are as a nation and not trying to imitate or outdo previous opening ceremonies. The Olympic cauldron at the end was stunning. Currently watching the cycling road race hoping for a British gold.

[Lumix]

Pink Floyd, perfect lyrics !!!!!

That bit gave me goose pimples.

Indeed! .....Coincidently, I thought the 'Industrial Revolution' sequence was like something from a Floyd concert!

[sjt]

I was out last night doing a few thing so missed it all. I did get a text from my partner saying "Frank Turner! Frank Turner! Frank Turner!" which confused me so had to call her to find out he was in the opening ceremony! Pretty amazing to see someone like that there when 6 years ago he was playing in small places to about 50 people!

Bit strange seeing Lords hosting archery too!

Also I'm not the biggest fan of most of the sports in the Olympics but it's pretty much a one off thing for this country so it's good to see the majority of people making the most of it.

Not that I'll see much of it mind you!

[King Cobra]

Pink Floyd, perfect lyrics !!!!!

That bit gave me goose pimples.

Indeed! .....Coincidently, I thought the 'Industrial Revolution' sequence was like something from a Floyd concert!

I see where you're coming from, it was certainly on a "Floydian" scale.

[lynothehammer]

The biggest disappointment for me was having to listen to that tosspiece Trevor Nelson, what an absolute div he is !

Seriously, is that the BBCs way of being down with the kids ?

As for the ceremony, I was very skeptical about the whole thing but what a show we put on for the entire world. A very moving & powerful opening ceremony. One which everyone in Great Britain should truly be proud of, we showed the world what a party we can throw...

[Southendnick]

As has already been said a superb show, let down by some scouse OAP, who sang out of tune, off key and made me switch off the TV.

[keithholden]

The biggest disappointment for me was having to listen to that tosspiece Trevor Nelson, what an absolute div he is !

Seriously, is that the BBCs way of being down with the kids ?

As for the ceremony, I was very skeptical about the whole thing but what a show we put on for the entire world. A very moving & powerful opening ceremony. One which everyone in Great Britain should truly be proud of, we showed the world what a party we can throw...

My sentiments exactly

[pbeardmore]

Without going too much into detail, I think one of the greatest acheivements was not to dumb down (no sign of x-factor I think?) and giving the audience some respect for knowing their stuff. Also, an absolute respect for some of the finest music ever produced by GB since the war (unlke the dross of the jubilee concert). So, so different from anything that has been attempted so far. Very intelectual as far as all of the cultural references but, at the same time, enjoyable for the masses. Obviously not designed by committee but concieved and designed by one person with their own style and ambition. Nobody will say it was perfect but the true test will be how it will be remembered in years and generations to come and my hunch is that they really created something rather special.
PS Macca is clearly a national treasure with no argument over his contribution to the UK music industry and his songs mean so much to millions BUT he is a national treasure whose singing days are long gone. Sadly for me, his performance was the low point of the night. As Madonna is finding out with her current tour, pop stars need to know when to call time. With the focus on the lighting of the flame on youth and the future, he seemed a strange choice.

[DanH]

PS Macca is clearly a national treasure with no argument over his contribution to the UK music industry and his songs mean so much to millions BUT he is a national treasure whose singing days are long gone. Sadly for me, his performance was the low point of the night. As Madonna is finding out with her current tour, pop stars need to know when to call time. With the focus on the lighting of the flame on youth and the future, he seemed a strange choice.

I agree, there's no doubting his contribution to British/World music over the years but for an event such as this he unfortunately doesn't have it any more. Not to mention the fact that as soon as he appeared on screen the entire audience around the world just knew that we were probably going to get a rendition of Hey Jude. It would have been much better and more fitting if they had asked Muse to come on and play their official Olympic song.

[Danny]

The orchestra playing Nimrod by Elgar during the build up was really special too, what a fantastic piece of classical music.

[Abingdonman]

I agree a bit about Macca,but very few keep their voice after they qualify for a pension...
for me Tom Jones is the one who should have done the final....."We'll keep a welcome in the hillsides" would have gone down a treat
I was wondering what was the song when the students were walking with the flares up the isles ,a guy and and 3 girls ....its annoyed me ever since trying to think of what the song was

[Tonka 617]

The orchestra playing Nimrod by Elgar during the build up was really special too, what a fantastic piece of classical music.

+1, always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when i hear that... simply beautiful

[DerekF]

I was wondering what was the song when the students were walking with the flares up the isles ,a guy and and 3 girls ....its annoyed me ever since trying to think of what the song was

It was called Caliban's Dream and was sung by Alex Trimble out of Two Door Cinema Club. Very haunting it was too.

[Abingdonman]

I was wondering what was the song when the students were walking with the flares up the isles ,a guy and and 3 girls ....its annoyed me ever since trying to think of what the song was

It was called Caliban's Dream and was sung by Alex Trimble out of Two Door Cinema Club. Very haunting it was too.

Thanks for that.....very much like an Enya song I believe,but cant remember which one!

[clee2011]

I was wondering what was the song when the students were walking with the flares up the isles ,a guy and and 3 girls ....its annoyed me ever since trying to think of what the song was

It was called Caliban's Dream and was sung by Alex Trimble out of Two Door Cinema Club. Very haunting it was too.

Thanks for that.....very much like an Enya song I believe,but cant remember which one!

Just found it on Youtube -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mec8GZkEpD4&feature=plcp
Also available to buy from iTunes.

[Southendnick]

The orchestra playing Nimrod by Elgar during the build up was really special too, what a fantastic piece of classical music.

+1, always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when i hear that... simply beautiful

+another

[cw318is]

The other epic song is Underworld - And I Will Kiss, from the Industrial Revolution/Pandemonium section. Proper energy track!

[DanO1978]

Had a brilliant evening at the volleyball at Earl's Court last night. Military personnel on security, which was the definition of smooth. Friendly venue staff, and food expensive but no worse than airshow prices (and, contrary to the media scaremongering, wasn't wall-to-wall McDonald's and Coke - there were good quality pasty, pork roll, sausage and pie-and-mash concessions). The programme is a tenner, which isn't bad at all - a very thick, well-produced affair.

The Olympic bashers, and especially the Daily Mail, frankly haven't got a clue.