On the verdant grounds of Hyde Park, London’s prime green space, the Royal Albert Hall glows invitingly. In this stunning, historic concert hall, the world’s greatest classical music concert and the venue’s most renowned event, has been held for 150 years. This extravaganza of legendary performances is the BBC Proms, where world class musicians take the stage, all under the iconic domed roof. 

Every year for six weeks, the most prodigious classical musicians delight the audience, and throw in a few surprises. From the front row to the galleries above, guests are surrounded by the sublime acoustics and an atmosphere just short of intoxicating.

The BBC Proms has been a crucial part of the history of live music since the bygone era of the Victorians. Today it comprises six weeks of acts, from family days to opera, to emerging artists and renditions of Broadway numbers. The BBC Proms never fails on a stellar line up. 

The concerts are the gold standard in classical performances; strings, wind, brass and percussion play polished pieces from the greats to the unusual. To stay on the pulse and to appeal to the masses, the event moves with the tide of changing music scenes whilst always paying tribute to the titans of classical music’s past. In recent years organisers have been introducing contemporary musical talent from the likes of Jarvis Cocker, Stormzy and Laura Marling. The versatile and intense performances are enough to give everyone in the audience goosebumps. 

This year faces alterations of its very own, as David Pickard, Director of the Proms explains, “Planning a Proms season in a pandemic is not easy. We have relied on the creativity and collaboration of many people to offer a programme of such ambition, scale and quality, and are proud to celebrate so much outstanding British talent this summer. We are looking forward to welcoming live audiences back to the Royal Albert Hall in its 150th anniversary year”.

Promming began in the nineteenth century when strolling along the promenades of London’s parks was accompanied with live orchestral joy, which is where the ‘Proms’ gets its name. It has been hosted at the Royal Albert Hall every summer since 1941 after the original venue of the Queen’s Hall was destroyed during the Blitz. The event has since evolved into a spectacular organisation of the world’s finest classical performers. You can expect notable conductors leading the English National Opera, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra, to name just a few.

Thirty orchestras and ensembles and over one hundred soloists and conductors take part. The Proms lets you experience the exhilarating strings of Vivaldi’s concertos, and immerses you in the haunting sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, all under a 135ft Italianate roof. The ensembles play the works you are familiar with, and the works you had never realised you knew. 

From Mozart and Beethoven, to classical interpretations of hits from Metallica, Queen and Amy Winehouse. The Proms has all the drama, all the passion, and all the creativity that any live music show should. There is always a mindblowing movie soundtrack – Star Wars, Jurassic Park, The Pink Panther, Harry Potter, West Side Story – the tunes we all remember well. Then the Last Night of the Proms is an extravaganza of anthems, including Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, which was first received so well by the audience in 1901 that it was given a double encore.

There are two ways to go to the Proms – to buy a seat in the stalls, or for die-hard Prommers to queue early for last minute tickets. The latter is an old tradition for those wishing to purchase standing tickets close to the stage, as a means to keep classical music accessible to all. It gives the whole event a welcoming feel. But a ticket for your own private gallery gives you thrilling views of the auditorium, and keeps you enveloped in sound. It is the only way to do the Proms in true style, at London’s most captivating venue.

On the last night, the audience is ever eager to participate – waving flags, singing and bobbing along to the melodies carried through the auditorium. The six weeks shake up any culture-lovers’ calendar. Emotions, expertise and musical genius are centre stage. It’s a magical season that so many look forward to, that so many embrace. For the classical world, it’s the best that it gets.