The beloved BBC Proms is set to kick off tonight (Friday, July 14) at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The classical music festival, which is held every summer, aims to bring the best in classical music to the “widest possible audience”.
The festival will last until Saturday, September 9, and, as always, be available to listen to and view for those who won’t be attending in person.
The opening night concert will be led by Dalia Stasevska, the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s Finnish principal guest conductor. It will include a special moment for the Ukrainian contemporary composer Bohdana Frolyak, too, who will feature new works at the prestigious event.
Here is everything you need to know about this summer’s BBC Proms.
How to get tickets to the BBC Proms
Tickets for the concert went on sale on Saturday, May 13.
However, the official BBC Proms Twitter account recently shared a helpful reminder for those wanting to attend in person.
The tweet read: “Reminder! No Prom is ever sold out until the day of the concert. Around 1,000 Day Promming tickets are released for our concerts [at the Royal Albert Hall] at 10:30 am each morning. Stand in the Arena or Gallery for just £8.00 (incl. fees).”
#BBCProms 2023 starts today! 🎉Featuring 80+ concerts across 8 weeks, with over 3,000 musicians.@BBCRadio3 is broadcasting live from @RoyalAlbertHall all day, bringing you backstage sneak peeks in the build up to #FNotP!
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) July 14, 2023
Ready for a summer of music? 📷 pic.twitter.com/7yWelr0vpE
You might hear some who are attending the event in person call the experience “Promming”. This refers to standing in the Arena or Gallery areas of the Royal Albert Hall, which is one of the special things that set the Proms apart from other music experiences.
Reminder! 📣 No Prom is ever sold out until the day of the concert.
— BBC Proms (@bbcproms) July 13, 2023
Around 1,000 Day Promming tickets are released for our concerts @royalalberthall at 10.30am each morning. Stand in the Arena or Gallery for just £8.00 (incl. fees).
Full details here: https://t.co/B6VCgnzYBG pic.twitter.com/2VhtcYgO6k
Where to watch and listen to the Proms
If you haven’t got your hands on tickets but would still like to be a part of the lovely experience, you can listen to the Proms concert via the radio or watch them on TV.
Every Prom will be broadcasted live on BBC Radio 3 and streamed on Sounds. Plus, a selection of proms will be available to view via the various BBC channels and iPlayer.
Why is it called the Proms?
Proms is a shortened version of Promenade concerts, which refers to listening experiences that are affordable and informal.
Traditionally, promenaders, or Prommers, can stand and listen to the music unlike their counterparts at other classical music events, who are normally in more formal attire, and seated.
It was Robert Newman who came up with the idea to hold the Proms in the UK, to make classical music more accessible. Together with famous conductor Sir Henry Wood, they created the festival.
The very first Proms was held on Saturday, August 10, 1895, and it has become a quintessential cultural experience for Brits ever since.
