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BBC Unveils Exciting Lineup for the 2024 Proms Season
The BBC has officially announced the schedule for its highly anticipated eight-week Proms season, which will feature 86 concerts across various cities including London, Bradford, Belfast, Bristol, and Gateshead. Notably, this year will showcase a record 15 female conductors, culminating in a historic Last Night event that will be entirely led by women. Elim Chan will take the conducting helm, accompanied by trumpeter Alison Balsom and soprano Louise Alder. The evening will also debut two world premieres: one from 34-year-old French composer Camille Pepin and another from Rachel Portman, the first woman to win an Oscar for best original score.
In addition to the remarkable musical offerings, Claudia Winkleman will present a unique Traitors Prom, donning a cloak for an evening designed to blend symphonic pop with classical elements, thematically revolving around concepts of intrigue and betrayal. Suzy Klein, the head of arts and classical music TV at the BBC, emphasized that although the performance will not involve interactive gameplay, it will be curated to create a dramatic experience reminiscent of the Highland castle setting from the popular reality series. Winkleman will be backed by the BBC Scottish Symphony and the BBC Singers, with surprise guests and a full program to be announced soon.
The Proms will also include children’s concerts inspired by successful BBC shows, including a CBeebies bedtime story prom and the return of the Wildlife Jamboree Prom, taking place at Gateshead’s Glasshouse Centre for Music. The Ulster Orchestra is set to mark the centenary of the Shipping Forecast with a concert featuring music inspired by maritime themes, along with a new piece performed by the poet laureate Simon Armitage.
Highlighting a notable first, the upcoming season will host its first overnight prom of the 21st century, running from 11 PM to 7 AM. Curated by organist Anna Lapwood, this late-night event will feature performances by the Japanese pianist and YouTube sensation Hayato Sumino, along with the beloved Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene. BBC Radio 3 controller Sam Jackson commented on the charm of classical music enjoyed late at night, proposing it as an immersive listening experience, albeit reminding attendees that blankets and pillows will not be permitted in the Royal Albert Hall.
Among the notable anniversaries to be celebrated this year is the music of Shostakovich, with a complete performance of his opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, featuring the chorus of the English National Opera. The Aurora Orchestra will also present a performance of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, played entirely from memory, along with the Black and ethnically diverse orchestra Chineke!, marking their tenth anniversary with a guest conductor, Simon Rattle.
This year’s season will also commemorate Ravel’s 150th birthday, with a performance of his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand by Nicholas McCarthy. This marks a historic return, as it will be the first time this piece has been performed at the Proms by a one-handed pianist since its original premier by Paul Wittgenstein in 1932. Additionally, works from Boulez, who is also celebrating a centenary, will feature prominently, including a late-night performance by the Ensemble intercontemporain, which Boulez founded, juxtaposed with Luciano Berio’s works, who is commemorated this year as well.
Prominent international orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw under the direction of Klaus Mäkelä, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, will also grace the Proms stage. This year promises an unprecedented 25 televised proms, reflecting a growing interest in the series; last year, the Proms achieved a record-breaking 5 million streams on BBC Sounds, with overall viewership across TV and iPlayer nearing 13 million.
According to Jackson, the Royal Albert Hall achieved an impressive 96% capacity for evening Proms in 2024. The Last Night, a much-debated conclusion to the season, will retain its traditional finale, featuring the iconic “Rule, Britannia.” Jackson acknowledged the diverse opinions surrounding this performance, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to catering to a wide audience while introducing innovative musical offerings.
The Proms will take place from July 18 to September 13, with general booking set to open at 9 AM on May 17.
Source
www.theguardian.com