Controversial impresario wants to bring classical music to the masses. He tells MATTHEW JENKIN why he doesn't mind getting his critics' knickers in a twist.

FAMOUS for bringing classical music to the masses, impresario Raymond Gubbay has been rebelling against the musical establishment for 40 years now.

Not that the man behind big bucks productions, such as the Royal Albert Hall’s Classical Spectacular and next week’s Christmas Spectacular at The O2, gives two hoots what some stuffy old critic says.

He said: “It’s about putting together programs which people will enjoy. I don’t think there should be any snobbery about classical music.

“We are there to entertain people and we should be able to put together programs which are attractive to the general public and get people coming in.”

Raymond started out on his own, presenting concerts with three or four singers and a pianist at small halls and theatres around the country.

Laughing, he says he relishes the backlash from traditionalists who object to his popularist concerts.

“There has been, perhaps grudgingly, an acceptance over the years that there is room for everything,” he explains.

“If you provide people with access points into the wonderful world of classical music, opera and ballet, that audience will grow.

“People are not living in isolation. They want to see what else is going on and make their own decisions.

“There’s nothing like live entertainment. No matter how good the technology to record things becomes, it’s never as exciting as being there in person.”

No expense has been spared for his latest extravaganza which is hosted by Myleene Klass and features a mixture of classical and popular Christmas music from the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra and the Royal Choral Society.

Top that off with state-of-the-art lighting, lasers and 2,000 indoor fireworks and you can understand why the box office tills have been ringing so loudly.

This is the first time Raymond has brought his brand of concert to the Greenwich venue, but it certainly won’t be the last.

In May, his production of Carmen will be the first opera to be staged in the famous arena.

Not that opera purists will be toasting the news, as the concert promoter will be presenting it entirely in the English language.

He said: “Why should opera be done in some rarefied way which a lot of the audience won’t be able to comprehend?

“Carmen is, after all, a very popular opera with a powerful and emotional story.

“Why should the experience of seeing it be any different from going to see Les Miserables or any other musical theatre?

“You are asking people to come in, hear gorgeous tunes and be moved emotionally. If they can’t understand what people are singing why take away that part of the pleasure?”

With live music and concerts enjoying something of a rennaisance, the Raymond Gubbay concert power house is showing no signs of slowing down - much to the chargrin of his fiercest opponents.

But if a few fireworks and lasers are getting bums on seats in concerts which were previously only attended by elitist snobs, then bravo for Raymond.

Christmas Spectacular. The O2, Greenwich. December 23. 6.30pm. 0844 856 0202 or visit theo2.co.uk