Last Night of the Proms: In pictures

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US mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato performs at the Royal Albert Hall in west London on September 7, 2013 during the last night of the Proms
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The spectacular Last Night of the Proms was led by a female conductor for the first time in its 118 year history.

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Marin Alsop told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that she was "very, very proud, but also pretty surprised to be the first".

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Alsop said that acceptance of female conductors was a matter of society becoming comfortable with seeing women in the ultimate authority roles, adding: "We're moving on and tonight is a landmark in that progression."

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The festival, which began on 12 July, included 92 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and four across the UK.

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Alsop conducted the BBC Symphony Orchestra and British violinist Nigel Kennedy, who performed on the closing night for the first time.

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Alsop was also joined by mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

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As well as the main event at the Royal Albert Hall, the last night was celebrated with concerts across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The evening culminated in a live big-screen link-up to the central London venue for the traditional singalong.

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