Boston Pops announce plans for Fourth of July 2020

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops perform at Boston Pops On Nantucket Hosted By Real Simple and Coastal Living at Jetties Beach on August 9, 2014 in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops perform at Boston Pops On Nantucket Hosted By Real Simple and Coastal Living at Jetties Beach on August 9, 2014 in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The Boston Pops Orchestra announced Friday the group will not perform live on the Esplanade in Boston on July 4 due to coronvavirus concerns.

“All of us at the Boston Pops are so disappointed that due to COVID-19 we are forced to cancel this year’s appearance on the banks of the Charles for America’s Independence Day concert," Pops conductor Keith Lockhart said in an announcement.

The Pops are planning a televised special instead.

Lockhart said the group is working on putting together a retrospective special to be aired for the holiday.

“We will draw from the best performances of recent years and bring you great artists in the field of country, rock, jazz and Broadway, as well as fine musical ensembles from our nation’s military service organizations," Lockhart said. "And of course, the fantastic Boston Pops and a full performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Lockhart thanked medical personnel who have worked tirelessly during the coronavirus pandemic and said the special will also include a tribute to first responders.

"We hope 'A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes' will bring viewers and listeners the consolation, comfort, and inspiration we all seek during these challenging times," he said in a press release. "Please join us as we show our appreciation for the heroes of this epic crisis and celebrate the meaningful messages of Independence Day that unite us as citizens of this great and beautifully diverse country."

The special will air on Bloomberg Television and Bloomberg Radio on Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m.

Lockhart said more details are forthcoming.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular has been a Fourth of July tradition along Boston’s Charles River for years. Tens of thousands of people attend the festivities and millions of people around the world tune in to enjoy the performance via various digital and broadcast channels.

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