Following their only closure in 90 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blighty's Abbey Road Studios reopened on Thursday, 6/4.

The first session belonged to Decca Records' Melody Gardot, who recorded remotely from Paris, while the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra safely used the iconic space. Along with Abbey Road opening for the first time in 10 weeks, this was the RPO's first reunion since the lockdown.

A truly international recording session, Grammy winning producer Larry Klein, also joined from LA, communicating with Gardot, the engineers, Abbey Road team and musicians in London throughout. With the safety and well-being of the studio's team and guests as the top priority, Abbey Road will have new operating guidelines that will allow for social distancing and create the safest possible working environment.

Abbey Road Studios Managing Director Isabel Garvey says: “Music is proven to help us get through difficult times, providing escape and easing our mood – so it’s never been more important than in the current circumstances. At Abbey Road, we’ve witnessed the creative community’s desire to create new music and communicate their feelings throughout this time, and we’ve received numerous requests from our clients to get back to work."

President of Decca Records, Rebecca Allen, adds, “Decca Records and Abbey Road Studios have had a strong alliance for many, many years. We are thrilled that they are able to open their doors once again to allow the creation of music, and we are delighted that our own artist Melody Gardot, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, are working together to fill the studios once more with incredible artistry.”