BBC Proms announces 2024 programme
BBC Proms has revealed its upcoming season schedule which will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in 2024. The festival will span across dates from 19th July to 14th September, providing an array of performances. Amongst the lineup are distinguished conductors Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim and talented musician Yo Yo Ma. The festival will showcase prestigious orchestras such as the Czech Philharmonic, Aurora Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris and Bach Collegium Japan.
In a period of eight weeks, there will be a celebration of various anniversaries including Anton Bruckner, Gustav Holst, Ferruccio Busoni, Gabriel Fauré, Gustav Holst, and Giacomo Puccini. Additionally, Ryan Bancroft and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Chorus will honor the 150th anniversary of Verdi's Requiem with a performance scheduled for July 23.
The performers at the Proms will be playing solo, including Yo-Yo Ma who will join forces with Leonidas Kavakos and Emanuel Ax. Other soloists include Jamie Barton, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Yunchan Lim, Anthony McGill, and Víkingur Ólafsson. Additionally, Pop singers Sam Smith and Florence and the Machine are both scheduled to give their own performances at the Proms this year, which marks their first time on the event's stage.
Elim Chan will conduct the first night of the Proms with Isata Kanneh-Mason and Sophie Bevan as soloists. They will also debut Ben Nobuto's Hallelujah Sim. Sakari Oramo will conduct the last night of the Proms, where we can expect to see Sir Stephen Hough on the piano and BBC Proms debutante soprano Angel Blue.
The Proms is going to give special attention to songs sung by choirs, and there will be more than 25 choirs performing during the event. On the 7th of September, there's going to be a Choral Day with three concerts that will showcase The Sixteen, Jason Max Ferdinand and his Singers, as well as Handel's Messiah with special guests Nardus Williams, Helen Charlston, Benjamin Hulett and Ashley Riches.
There are some amazing choral performances coming up that you won't want to miss! For example, the London Symphony Orchestra and their brand new Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano, will be showcasing Britten's War Requiem. Plus, Bach Collegium Japan will be putting on a fantastic show with their performance of Bach's St John Passion on August 19th. And on August 28th, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra will join in on the fun with their rendition of Janáček's Glagolitic Mass. These are all must-see performances for anyone who loves choral music!
The Glyndebourne Festival Opera is making a comeback to the Proms with a half-staged show of their fresh interpretation of Carmen, set to take place on August 29th. The Garsington Opera, located in Buckinghamshire, will be making their debut at the Proms with their production of Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream on September 10th.
In 2024, the BBC Singers will be marking their 100th anniversary and will be taking part in seven Proms concerts, including the inaugural and concluding shows. Additionally, they will be performing Eric Whitacre's newest composition, Eternity in an Hour, on September 4th. On July 21st, VOCES8 and the King's Singers will join together for their own Prom.
