The iconic Royal Albert Hall will once again become the epicenter of classical music this summer as the BBC Proms returns with an ambitious lineup of 72 concerts at the historic London venue. Running from July 18 to September 13, the world’s greatest classical music festival promises an extraordinary range of performances that blend tradition with innovation.
Opening and Closing in Grand Style
The 2025 season begins on Friday, July 18, with Finnish conductor Sakari Oramo leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ rarely performed oratorio Sancta Civitas. The opening night will include performances by tenor Caspar Singh, baritone Gerald Finley, and violinist Lisa Batiashvili, alongside the world premiere of “The Elements” by Master of the King’s Music Errollyn Wallen.
The Last Night of the Proms, a British cultural institution in itself, will be conducted by Elim Chan on September 13, featuring trumpeter Alison Balsom and soprano Louise Alder. The program includes world premieres by composers Camille Pépin and Rachel Portman, with Portman being celebrated as the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
International Stars Grace the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall will welcome a stellar lineup of international orchestras throughout the season, including the Vienna Philharmonic (September 8-9), the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra (August 26), and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (August 23-24).
World-class soloists performing at the venue include pianists Yunchan Lim (August 1) and Sir András Schiff (August 23), violinists Hilary Hahn and Janine Jansen, and soprano Golda Schultz (September 6).
Late Night and Overnight Innovations
In a bold programming move, the Proms will feature its first overnight concert since 1983. Curated by organist Anna Lapwood, this unique event on August 8 runs from 11pm until 7am and presents a diverse lineup featuring pianist and YouTube sensation Hayato Sumino, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, the Chapel Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge, and Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene.
The Late Night Proms series continues to push boundaries with performances including Pierre Boulez and Luciano Berio celebrations (July 23), the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performing works by Arvo Pärt (July 31), and Nigerian brothers Kingsley Okorie and Benjamin James bringing their “highlife fusion” as The Cavemen (August 12).
Commemorating Musical Giants
This year’s festival particularly honors Dmitri Shostakovich, marking the 50th anniversary of his death with eight works performed throughout the season. A highlight includes the Aurora Orchestra playing Symphony No. 5 entirely from memory on August 16-17, in collaboration with physical-theatre experts Frantic Assembly.
Other composer anniversaries celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall include Maurice Ravel (150th birthday), Luciano Berio and Pierre Boulez (100th birthdays), and Arvo Pärt (90th birthday).
Opera and Large-Scale Choral Works
The Royal Albert Hall will host several significant opera performances, including Puccini’s Suor Angelica performed by the London Symphony Orchestra with Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano on August 19, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro fresh from Glyndebourne on August 27, and Shostakovich’s The Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District on September 1—only performed in its entirety once before at the Proms.
Large-scale choral works feature prominently, from Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony performed by the Hallé on August 2 to Striggio’s remarkable Mass in 40 Parts presented by Le Concert Spirituel.
Popular Culture Meets Classical Tradition
The Proms continues its tradition of reaching beyond classical boundaries with several high-profile collaborations at the Royal Albert Hall. These include Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy (July 19), a Prom inspired by BBC’s hit show “The Traitors” hosted by Claudia Winkleman (July 26), Grammy-winning musician St. Vincent (September 3), and Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi making his Proms debut conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in “The End of the World” (August 14).
Access and Affordability
True to its founding mission of making classical music accessible to all, the Proms continues to offer affordable options for London audiences. Seats start from just £10, with half-price tickets available for under-18s (plus booking fees). The traditional Promming day standing tickets remain at £8 (inclusive of booking fees).
Every Prom will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, with 25 programs televised across BBC channels and BBC iPlayer.
As London prepares to host this mammoth celebration of music, the Royal Albert Hall once again confirms its status as one of the world’s greatest concert venues, hosting more than two-thirds of the entire Proms season and providing a fitting home for what remains, after nearly 130 years, the largest and most democratic classical music festival on the planet.
For ticket information and complete program details, visit bbc.co.uk/proms
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