O2 challenges the Proms with classical music 'spectacular'

The O2 arena will host a series of classical events early next year, including a "major opera", the Standard can reveal.

Talks have begun for the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich, which has attracted some of pop music's biggest names, to host a festival of arts in January - putting it in competition with the Royal Albert Hall which is home to the annual Proms.

AEG, the US entertainment giant that owns the 20,000-seat arena, hopes to lure some of the classical world's biggest names. An O2 source said: "We are looking into holding a special programme at the start of next year, headed up with a major opera. The O2 is a vast venue and we are looking at ways to utilise it in a unique way for these events. It could be really spectacular and like nothing we have done before."

The source said AEG believed the acoustics in its arena are superior to the Royal Albert Hall. Arena chiefs have earmarked a concert from China-born pianist Lang Lang, 25, who performed with jazz veteran Herbie Hancock at last month's Grammys and is set to open the Beijing Olympics.

Meanwhile, Alicia Keys, who performed at the O2 on Friday, could return in the summer for two or three concerts.