The BBC Proms 2025 - Everything you need to know about the world's greatest classical music festival

BBC News

23-04-2025

The 2025 BBC Proms season brings together many of the world's finest international artists and orchestras, featuring more than 40 outstanding ensembles from across the UK: a series of concerts that can only be experienced at the world's greatest classical music festival.
The BBC's own orchestras and choirs form the backbone of the Proms, making nearly 50 appearances throughout the season. The BBC Singersperform at 11 Proms, including the First and Last Nights, showcasing their broad range of repertoire.
Sakari Oramo conducts the First Night of the Proms, with tenor Caspar Singh, baritone Gerald Finley, violinist Lisa Batiashvili – including the world premiere of The Elements by Master of the King's Music Errollyn Wallen, commissioned by the BBC. The Last Night of the Proms is conducted by Elim Chan and features trumpeter Alison Balsom and soprano Louise Alder, with two world premieres, by Camille Pépin and Rachel Portman: the latter being the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Original Score.
The BBC Proms makes its debut in both Bradford, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, and Sunderland, bringing the festival to new audiences. The Proms also returns to Bristol and Gateshead for two three-day weekend residencies, and a special Prom in Belfast marks the centenary of Radio 4's popular Shipping Forecast.
The season features a compelling line-up of international orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.
Major soloists include pianists Yunchan Lim and Sir András Schiff, violinists Hilary Hahn and Janine Jansen and soprano Golda Schultz.
Nineteen world, European or UK premieres will be performed, including 10 works commissioned by the BBC, showcasing an extraordinary range of contemporary composition.
Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Chineke! Orchestra for the first time, in their tenth-anniversary year.
Anna Lapwood co-curates the first overnight Prom since 1983, featuring pianist and YouTube sensation Hayato Sumino, cellist Anastasia Kobekina, the Chapel Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge and the boundary-crossing Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene.
The Proms marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Shostakovich with eight of his works performed during the season, including Aurora Orchestra playing Symphony No. 5 entirely from memory. Other composer anniversaries include Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Arvo Pärt.
Legendary Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi makes his Proms debut, conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in his symphony inspired by the tragic events of Hiroshima: The End of the World.
Across the season there is a wealth of opera, including a collaboration between the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the English National Opera for The Lady Macbeth of the Mtensk District by Shostakovich – only performed in its entirety once before at the Proms. Glyndebourne brings their new production of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro to the festival, and Puccini's Suor Angelica is performed by the London Symphony Orchestra with Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano.
Large-scale choral repertoire features throughout the season, from Ralph Vaughan Williams's rarely performed oratorio Sancta Civitas on the First Night, to Striggio's Mass in 40 Parts from Le Concert Spirituel. There is also a Proms debut from Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus, with Handel's Alexander's Feast.
The Proms continues its tradition of collaborating with other BBC brands. In addition to the 100 Years of the Shipping Forecast Prom in Belfast with the Ulster Orchestra and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Claudia Winkleman hosts The Traitors Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, exploring themes of treachery and betrayal in classical music. Concerts for children include a new CBeebies Prom: A Magical Bedtime Story as well as the CBeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree in Gateshead.
The Proms continues to welcome non-classical artists, presenting their music in new orchestral settings – this year hosting the multi-Grammy winning musicians St. Vincent and Samara Joy. Trevor Nelson presents the Soul Revolution Prom and Anoushka Shankar makes a welcome return to the Proms with the world-premiere performance of her new album.
Every Prom will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds. BBC Television and BBC iPlayer will broadcast 25 programmes, with nine Proms across BBC One and BBC Two, demonstrating the BBC's commitment to reaching the broadest audiences for classical music.
The Proms continues its commitment to accessible ticket prices with seats from £10 and half-price tickets for under-18s (plus booking fees), and Promming day standing tickets at £8 (inclusive of booking fees).
Read more: BBC Proms 2025 features first overnight Prom in almost half a century as part of an eight-week celebration of music
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International orchestras and ensembles
The 2025 Proms season presents a line-up of 21 ensembles visiting from outside the UK. Orchestras include:
Orchestre National de France, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru (23 July)
Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Iván Fischer (6 August)
Orchestre National de Bretagne (side-by-side with BBC NOW), conducted by Ryan Bancroft (11 August)
Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Danish National Concert Choir, conducted by Fabio Luisi (21 August)
Irish Baroque Orchestra and Irish Baroque Chorus, conducted by Peter Whelan (20 August)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Klaus Mäkelä (23 and 24 August)
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by Andris Nelsons (26 August)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jaime Martín (29 August)
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, directed by Pekka Kuusisto (31 August)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe, conducted by Robin Ticciati (6 September)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Franz Welser-Möst (8 and 9 September)
In addition to these international orchestras, ensembles visiting from around the world include Le Consort (20 July, matinee), Ensemble intercontemporain (23 July), Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (31 July, Late Night), Barokksolistene (8 August), Le Concert Spirituel (17 August), Danish National Vocal Ensemble (23 August, Bristol), and Ensemble Rustavi and Between Worlds Ensemble (9 September, Late Night).
Major soloists and conductors
Major soloists include:
Lisa Batiashvili violin (18 July)
Augustin Hadelich violin (24 July)
Mariam Batsashvili piano (27 July)
Yunchan Lim piano (1 August)
Erin Morley soprano (2 August, matinee)
Mari Eriksmoen soprano (2 August)
Emily D'Angelo mezzo-soprano (2 August)
Beatrice Rana piano (8 August)
Anna Lapwood organ/conductor (8 August)
Benjamin Grosvenor piano (15 August)
Bruce Liu piano (20 August)
Sir András Schiff piano (23 August, matinee)
Janine Jansen violin (24 August, matinee)
Louise Alder soprano (27 August and 13 September)
Pekka Kuusisto violin/director (31 August)
Nicky Spence tenor (1 September)
Sir Willard White bass-baritone (1 September)
Golda Schultz soprano (6 September)
Avi Avital mandolin (9 September, Late Night)
Alison Balsom trumpet (13 September)
Internationally renowned conductors include:
Sakari Oramo (18, 24 July and 7 September)
Iván Fischer (6 August)
Dalia Stasevska (9 and 22 August)
Edward Gardner (10 August)
Sir Mark Elder (18 August)
Sir Antonio Pappano (19 August)
Klaus Mäkelä (23 and 24 August)
Andris Nelsons (26 August)
Sir Simon Rattle (30 August and 5 September)
Vasily Petrenko (7 September)
John Wilson (12 September)
Elim Chan (13 September)
Orchestras and choirs from across the UK
The Proms welcomes more than 40 British orchestras and choirs this summer, and the BBC's own ensembles make nearly 50 appearances across the season, demonstrating the BBC's commitment to showcasing homegrown talent, as well as amateur singers, and orchestras and choirs for children and young people.
Aurora Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, CBSO Children's Chorus,CBSO Youth Chorus, Chineke! Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Constanza Chorus, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Hallé, Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir, Huddersfield Choral Society, In Harmony Liverpool, Jules Buckley Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company percussionists, London Contemporary Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, members of London Youth Choirs, National Youth Choir, National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Voices, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, Paraorchestra, Pembroke College Chapel Choir, Cambridge, Philharmonia Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia of London, Sinfonia of London Chorus, Sinfonia Smith Square, Synergy Vocals, Tiffin Choir, Ulster Orchestra, Voices of the River's Edge and Welsh National Opera.
Something different
The Great American Songbook and Beyond with Samara Joy – Fresh from winning Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance at this year's Grammys, Samara Joy joins conductor Miho Hazama and the BBC Concert Orchestra for an exhilarating performance of unique twists on jazz classics (19 July and broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer)
Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch – Jazz saxophonist, hip-hop artist, curator, and presenter Soweto Kinch hosts a special edition of his nightly Radio 3 show in Sunderland, celebrating the best of jazz with special guests Theo Croker, the Joe Webb Trio and Rivkala (24 July, The Fire Station, Sunderland)
Angeline Morrison – Folk musician and songwriter Angeline Morrison performs her 2022 album The Sorrow Songs (Folk Songs of Black British Experience), bringing to life untold stories of the African diaspora through the sound of traditional English folk music. She will perform with The Sorrow Songs Band and special guest Eliza Carthy (26 July, Glasshouse)
The Traitors – Claudia Winkleman hosts a Prom dedicated to the hit BBC TV show The Traitors. The Traitors Prom will feature a host of famous classical works, alongside new symphonic arrangements of music from this hugely popular BBC programme. With guest appearances from contestants, the event features the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Singers and is conducted by Karen Ní Bhroin (26 July, recorded for BBC TV and BBC iPlayer)
Arooj Aftab and Ibrahim Maalouf – Grammy Award-winning artist Arooj Aftab and Ibrahim Maalouf make their debuts with conductor Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Singers (29 July)
Soul Revolution – Following the success of the 2023's Northern Soul Prom and 2024's Disco Prom, the BBC Concert Orchestra continues their exploration of orchestral arrangements across diverse music genres. Radio 2's Trevor Nelson introduces a powerful celebration of spirituals, gospel and soul music that emerged during the Civil Rights movement. Featuring a gospel choir and star soloists, to be announced, and conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser (3 August, broadcast on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer)
From Dark Till Dawn – Celebrated organist Anna Lapwood is guest curator for this special all-night Prom, the first since 1983, running from 11pm to 7am. The concert features a diverse programme, from choral classics with the Chapel Choir of Pembroke College, performances from boundary-crossing artists including Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene and director violinist Bjarte Eike, as well as appearances from cellist Anastasia Kobekina and pianist and YouTube sensation Hayato Sumino (8 August)
100 Years of the Shipping Forecast – The Proms marks the centenary of Radio 4's Shipping Forecast with music inspired by the oceans and the elements, featuring the Ulster Orchestra and conducted by Chloé Van Soeterstède. It will feature music inspired by the sea, with a new work composed by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and his band LYR, as well as appearances from some familiar Radio 4 voices (8 August, Ulster Hall, Belfast)
Anoushka Shankar – Sitar virtuoso and composer Anoushka Shankar returns to the Proms for her fifth appearance at the festival, performing new orchestral arrangements of music from her album trilogy: Chapters – I: Forever, For Now, II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn, and the world premiere of her new album III: We Return To Light. Conducted by Robert Ames and featuring the London Contemporary Orchestra (12 August and broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer)
The Cavemen. – Nigerian brothers Kingsley Okorie and Benjamin James bring their distinctive 'highlife fusion' sound to the BBC Proms, including tracks from their 2020 album ROOTS (12 August, Late Night)
Paraorchestra and The Breath – Following their debut at the Bristol Proms last year, Paraorchestra collaborates with Oliver Vibrans and folk duo The Breath – guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/instrumentalist Ríoghnach Connolly. Together, they create a unique concert conducted by Charles Hazlewood (22 August, Bristol Beacon)
St. Vincent – Following three 2025 Grammy Award wins, St. Vincent brings her music to the Proms, joining forces with Jules Buckley and his orchestra to present brand-new symphonic arrangements of tracks from her back catalogue (3 September)
Classic Thriller Soundtracks – Marking 50 years since the death of legendary film composer Bernard Herrmann, the BBC Concert Orchestra celebrates his iconic film scores, from Psycho to Taxi Driver. This concert also features music from other thriller soundtracks by David Raksin, Miklós Rózsa and Quincy Jones (4 September)
Avi Avital: Between Worlds – Boundary-breaking mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital makes his Proms debut alongside his Between Worlds Ensemble and Georgia's male-voice group Ensemble Rustavi. Together, they embark on a musical journey of the regions surrounding the Black Sea, exploring classical, popular and traditional styles, from Crimean Tatar music and Turkish folk to klezmer, and works by Bartók (9 September, Late Night)
Aurora Orchestra: Shostakovich's Fifth by Heart – Nicholas Collon and Aurora Orchestra present a 20th-century masterpiece: Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. In their signature style and in collaboration with physical-theatre experts Frantic Assembly, Aurora Orchestra will explore the mind of Shostakovich, with actors bringing the composer's world to life (6 August and 17 matinee, and broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer)
Late Junction – Radio 3's nightly Late Junction has been home to the adventurous listener for over 25 years, and this special Proms edition, presented by Verity Sharp, welcomes guest artists who have forged distinctive musical paths, offering a late-night listening swerve off the beaten track (22 August, Late Night, Bristol Beacon)
Pekka Kuusisto and Katarina Barruk – Pekka Kuusisto brings the strings of his Norwegian Chamber Orchestra to the Proms, as well as singer and composer Katarina Barruk – one of only a handful of remaining speakers of the Ume Sámi language – a living beacon for her native tongue and culture, performing songs that combine the traditional and the modern, interspersed with music by Bach, Philip Glass, Caroline Shaw and Tippett (31 August)
Angélique Kidjo: African Symphony – Five-time Grammy Award-winner and celebrated 'Queen of African Music' Angélique Kidjo returns to the Proms following her 2019 debut. As part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Kidjo will pay tribute to her African heritage, performing iconic tracks from legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Youssou N'Dour, showcasing the richness and beauty of African culture (7 September, St George's Hall, Bradford)
Opera and large-scale choral
Opera
Bartók: Duke Bluebeard's Castle – Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra present Hungary's most celebrated opera, featuring Dorottya Láng and Krisztián Cser (6 August)
Puccini: Suor Angelica – Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra present Puccini's one-act Suor Angelica, starring soprano Carolina López Moreno. In the first part of this concert, the Symphonic Fantasy from R. Strauss's Die Frau ohne Schatten will be performed (19 August)
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart's timeless masterpiece arrives fresh from Glyndebourne in a concert staging of their brand new 2025 production, featuring a stellar cast which includes Johanna Wallroth as Susanna and Louise Alder as the Countess, who will also return for the Last Night of the Proms, under the baton of Riccardo Minasi (27 August)
Shostakovich: The Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District – The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Singers and the English National Opera join forces under John Storgårds for this blistering operatic tragedy starring Amanda Majeski as Katerina with Nicky Spence as her lover Sergey. It has only been performed in its entirety at the Proms once before (1 September)
Choral
Vaughan Williams: Sancta Civitas – Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, the BBC Singers and members of London Youth Choirs, open the Proms season with Vaughan Williams' powerful depiction of the battle between good and evil, completed 100 years ago and inspired by the Book of Revelation (First Night of the Proms, 18 July)
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 – Kahchun Wong makes his first Proms appearance as the Hallé's new Principal Conductor. He conducts the Hallé, Hallé Choir and Hallé Youth Choir in Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony, featuring soloists Mari Eriksmoen and Emily D'Angelo (2 August)
Mahler: Das klagende Lied – Hannu Lintu conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and the Constanza Chorus in Mahler's chilling fable of jealousy, murder and magic. Soloists are soprano Natalya Romaniw, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, tenor Russell Thomas and baritone James Newby (4 August)
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 – Mahler's intricate, joyful tapestry of man, nature and heaven comes to life under the baton of Ryan Bancroft, leading the BBC National Orchestral of Wales alongside the Orchestre National de Bretagne. They are joined by the CBSO Children's Chorus, upper voices of the Welsh National Opera Chorus and BBC National Chorus of Wales, and mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor (11 August)
Joe Hisaishi and Steve Reich – Studio Ghibli composer and conductor Joe Hisaishi makes his Proms debut, presenting a powerful vision of a scorched-earth, post-nuclear wasteland: The End of the World. The programme also includes Steve Reich's gripping work, The Desert Music. The concert features the BBC Singers, National Youth Voices, Philharmonia Chorus and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. (14 August)
Delius: A Mass of Life – Sir Mark Elder conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in an extravagant, Nietzsche-inspired cantata for orchestra, chorus and soloists, featuring Jennifer Davis, Claudia Huckle, Roderick Williams and David Butt Philip (18 August)
Anna Clyne: The Years – Fabio Luisi conducts the Danish National Symphony Orchestra & Concert Choir in Anna Clyne's The Years – a choral work which delves into themes of isolation and the passing of time. Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 will also be performed in this concert (21 August)
Handel: Alexander's Feast (1742 version) – The award-winning Baroque dynamos Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus make their Proms debuts with Handel's Alexander's Feast. Presented in a three-part version specially written by Handel for Dublin performances in 1742, this adaptation is performed at the Proms for the very first time (30 August)
Arvo Pärt at 90 – Acclaimed interpreters of Arvo Pärt's music, Tõnu Kaljuste and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir celebrate the composer's 90th anniversary with a concert that showcases his popular 'Holy Minimalism' style. The programme features Da pacem Domine, Veni creator, Magnificat, The Deer's Cry, and Für Jan van Eyck, which receives its UK premiere (31 July, Late Night)
Striggio: Mass 'Ecco sì beato giorno' – Le Concert Spirituel and Hervé Niquet make a long-awaited return to the Proms, performing Striggio's Mass in 40 Parts, a sumptuous Renaissance epic.
Premieres and BBC commissions
The BBC is the UK's biggest commissioner of new music, and this year the festival will feature 19 world, European or UK premieres, including 10 works commissioned by the.
Tyshawn Sorey's new work for electric guitar, co-commissioned by the BBC, gets its first Proms outing (27 July, Glasshouse).
World premieres
Errollyn Wallen: The Elements, BBC commission (19 July and broadcast on TV)
Tom Coult: Monologues for the Curious, BBC commission (21 July)
Mark Simpson: ZEBRA (or 2-3-74; The Divine Invasion of Philip K. Dick), BBC commission (22 July)
Ryan Wigglesworth: for Laura, after Bach, BBC commission (27 July)
Sir John Rutter: New BBC commission for BBC Singers and BBC NOW (5 August)
Simon Armitage/LYR: New work inspired by the Shipping Forecast, BBC commission (8 August, Ulster Hall)
Anoushka Shankar: Chapter III: We Return To Light (12 August)
Camille Pépin: Fireworks, BBC commission (13 September)
Rachel Portman: The Gathering Tree, BBC commission (13 September)
European premieres
Adolphus Hailstork: An American Port of Call (7 August)
UK premieres
Charlotte Sohy: Danse mystique (23 July)
Anthony Davis: Tales (Tails) of the Signifying Monkey (24 July)
Arvo Pärt: Für Jan van Eyck (31 July, Late Night)
Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Before we fall (Cello Concerto) (13 August) BBC co-commission
Sofia Gubaidulina: Revue Music for Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band (15 August)
Thomas de Hartmann: Violin Concerto (22 August)
Angélique Kidjo, arr. Derrick Hodge: African Symphony (7 September, Bradford)
Hannah Kendall: Weroon Weroon for solo cuffed violin (31 August)
Gabriella Smith: Breathing Forests (2 September)
Debut artists
More than 80 artists make their solo debut at the BBC Proms. These include:
Jennifer Davis soprano (18 August)
Samara Joy (19 July)
Théotime Langlois de Swarte violin/director (20 July, matinee)
Nicholas McCarthy piano (20 July)
The Breath – Ríoghnach Connolly voice/flute/shruti and Stuart McCallum guitarist (22 August, Bristol)
Randall Goosby violin (23 July)
Sarah Aristidou soprano (23 July, Late Night)
Angeline Morrison singer (26 July)
Arooj Aftab (29 July)
Ibrahim Maalouf trumpeter (29 July)
Vadym Kholodenko piano (30 July)
Emily D'Angelo mezzo-soprano (2 August)
Liya Petrova violin (5 August)
Dorottya Lang mezzo-soprano (6 August)
Krisztián Cser bass (6 August)
Pacho Flores trumpet (7 August)
Hayato Sumino piano (8 August)
Bjarte Eike baroque violin (8 August)
Aigul Akhmetshina mezzo-soprano (10 August)
John Holiday countertenor (14 August)
Carolina López Moreno soprano (19 August)
Bruce Liu piano (20 August)
Clara Cecilie Thomsen soprano (21 August)
Jasmin White contralto (21 August)
Issachah Savage tenor (21 August)
Avery Amereau mezzo-soprano (24 August)
Johanna Wallroth soprano (27 August)
Rachel Mahon organ (28 August)
Inmo Yang violin (28 August)
Hilary Cronin soprano (30 August)
Hugh Cutting countertenor (30 August)
Katarina Barruk singer (31 August)
John Findon tenor (1 September)
Amanda Majeski soprano (1 September)
Niamh O'Sullivan mezzo-soprano (1 September)
St. Vincent (3 September)
Lukas Sternath piano (7 September)
Debut conductors include:
Miho Hazama (19 July)
Pierre Bleuse (23 July)
Karen Ní Bhroin (26 July)
Alphonse Cemin (27 July, Glasshouse)
Chloé Van Soeterstède (8 August)
Joe Hisaishi (14 August)
Martina Batič (23 August)
Marie Jacquot (28 August)
Chris Cameron (7 September)
Delyana Lazarova (10 September)
Composer focuses and anniversaries
Dmitri Shostakovich
The Proms marks 50 years since the death of composer Dmitri Shostakovich by presenting eight of his works. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Mark Wigglesworth present the Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 1 (arr. Atovmyan), while the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, under conductor Ryan Bancroft perform the Symphony No. 13, 'Babi Yar' (15 August). The Aurora Orchestra and conductor Nicholas Collon will take on Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 by heart, also with a musical and dramatic exploration (16 and 17 August). Pekka Kuusisto leads the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra in a presentation of Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony (31 August). Shostakovich's The Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District will be conducted by John Storgårds, with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra collaborating with the Chorus of English National Opera alongside the BBC Singers (1 September). The Chineke! Orchestra, under Sir Simon Rattle, will bring to life the Symphony No. 10 (5 September). Cellist Anastasia Kobekina, accompanied by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Delyana Lazarova, will perform the Cello Concerto No. 1 (10 September). The festival will culminate in the Last Night of the Proms, which will feature Shostakovich's Festive Overture (13 September).
Maurice Ravel
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel's birth, seven works are presented at this summer's Proms. Nicholas McCarthy joins the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to perform the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (20 July). The Orchestre National de France, under conductor Cristian Măcelaru, presents the Rapsodie espagnole and La valse (23 July). Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina joins the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner, for of the orchestral song-cycle Shéhérazade (10 August). The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eva Ollikainen, brings the energy of Boléro to life (13 August). Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales under Ryan Bancroft, performs the Piano Concerto in G major (15 August). The Philharmonia Orchestra presents Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, also orchestrated by Ravel (20 August). Finally, John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London & Chorus of London will conclude this exceptional line-up with a performance of the ballet Daphnis and Chloé (12 September).
Pierre Boulez and Luciano Berio
2025 marks 100 years since the births of Pierre Boulez and Luciano Berio. There is a special Late Night Prom for both composers, as the Ensemble intercontemporain, founded by Pierre Boulez in 1976, honour the legacies of Boulez and Berio with a programme that features Boulez's Dialogue de l'ombre double, performed by clarinettist Jérôme Comte, alongside Berio's tragicomic music-drama Recital I (for Cathy) sung by Sarah Aristidou, and Sequenza V, performed by trombonist Lucas Ounissi (23 July, Late Night).
Sean Shibe and an ensemble of musicians will present Le marteau sans maître, conducted by Alphonse Cemin (27 July, Glasshouse). Later in the festival, Hannu Lintu will lead the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in a performance of Boulez's Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna (4 August).
The BBC Singers will join forces with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kazuki Yamada of Berio's Sinfonia (1 August). Later in the festival, Klaus Mäkelä will conduct Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Rendering (23 August).
Arvo Pärt
For Arvo Pärt's 90th anniversary, acclaimed interpreters of Pärt's music, Tõnu Kaljuste and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir perform music that showcase his popular 'Holy Minimalism' style (31 July, Late Night). Violinists Zoë Beyers and Miranda Dale will perform Pärt's popular concerto for two violins, Tabula rasa, with the Britten Sinfonia (23 August, Bristol). Later in the festival, Pekka Kuusisto and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra will present Fratres (31 August).
Bernard Herrmann
A Classic Thriller Soundtracks Prom pays tribute to Bernard Herrmann, the legendary composer behind film scores ranging from Psycho to Taxi Driver, with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor and Curator, Edwin Outwater (4 September). The Last Night of the Proms will feature Arthur Benjamin's Storm Clouds Cantata, arranged by Herrmann, (13 September).
Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1934.
Hitchcock made a new version of this film in 1956 - Herrmann created a new arrangement of the piece, and is the conductor on screen in this these scenes, which take place at the Royal Albert Hall:
Arthur Bliss
In 2025, celebrations will mark the 50th anniversary of Sir Arthur Bliss's death. The opening piece at the First Night of the Proms will be the Birthday Fanfare for Sir Henry Wood performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sakari Oramo (18 July). Later in the festival, Bliss's The Beatitudes will be performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, alongside the BBC Singers, under Oramo's direction (7 September).
Johann Strauss II
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II's birth, the BBC Concert Orchestra, under Chief Conductor Anna-Maria Helsing, will present a vibrant programme of Strauss's works. The performance will feature the overture to Die Fledermaus, By the Beautiful Blue Danube. Joining the orchestra, soprano Erin Morley will enchant audiences with Frühlingstimmen and Adele's Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus (2 August, matinee).
Relaxed Proms and family concerts
Relaxed performance of The Planets and Star Wars – Britain's most talented teenage musicians from the National Youth Orchestra perform excerpts from Holst's The Planets and John Williams's Star Wars in a relaxed environment. Conducted by Tess Jackson and presented by Radio 3's Linton Stephens, the Prom will be British Sign Language-interpreted and audio-described (10 August, matinee)
CBeebies Prom: A Magical Bedtime Story – Our youngest Prommers can enjoy a magical introduction to the orchestra alongside their CBeebies friends, featuring a special guest in the Bedtime Stories chair, announced in due course, who will tell an enchanting musical tale (25 August, two matinees, and broadcast on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer)
Aurora Orchestra: Shostakovich's Fifth by Heart – Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra present Shostakovich's masterpiece entirely from memory. Actors will join the musicians and the Prom will be British Sign Language-interpreted and audio-described, ensuring an inclusive experience for all audiences (16 & 17 August, 17 August matinee)
CBeebies: Wildlife Jamboree – First performed at the 2024 Proms, our youngest Prom-goers are invited to join Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and many more of their favourite CBeebies friends on a musical journey through the natural world, featuring performances by the Royal Northern Sinfonia and with CBeebies presenters (27 July, two matinees, Glasshouse)
Proms at venues across the UK
Proms Gateshead
After three successful Proms residencies at Glasshouse International Centre for Music, the BBC Proms returns to the North-East.
Friday 25 July
Robert Ames and Royal Northern Sinfonia (Sage One, 9.15pm) – Following the success of last year's poetic electro soul collaboration with Jordan Rakei and 2023's euphoric Prom with Self Esteem, the ever-eclectic conductor and arranger Robert Ames continues his explorations into new musical sound-worlds. Full line-up to be announced.
Saturday 26 July
Angeline Morrison (Sage Two, 5.30pm) – Folk musician and songwriter Angeline Morrison performs her 2022 album The Sorrow Songs (Folk Songs of Black British Experience), bringing to life untold stories of the African diaspora through the essence of traditional English folk music. She will perform with The Sorrow Songs Band and special guest Eliza Carthy.
Bach and Mendelssohn with Royal Northern Sinfonia (Sage One, 7.30pm and Broadcast on BBC Radio Four and BBC iPlayer) – The Royal Northern Sinfonia and their Principal Guest Conductor, Dinis Sousa, present Mendelssohn's Second Symphony – an expression of joy and faith, replete with dances, fanfares and hymns – alongside the dark, sober beauty of Bach's Keyboard Concerto in D minor. The concert features mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet, tenor Benjamin Hulett and pianist David Fray alongside the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Huddersfield Choral Society and local group Voices of the River's Edge.
Sunday 27 July
CBeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree (Sage One, 1.30pm and 4pm) – First performed at the 2024 Proms, our youngest Prom-goers are invited to join Duggee, Bluey, the Octonauts and many more of their favourite CBeebies friends on a musical journey through the natural world, featuring performances by the Royal Northern Sinfonia and with CBeebies presenters.
Sean Shibe and Friends (Sage Two, 3pm) – Guitar dynamo Sean Shibe is joined by a group of fellow musicians to continue the Proms' Boulez centenary celebrations with Boulez's seminal Le marteau sans maître, the modernist masterpiece that reinvented 20th-century music. There will also be a performance of Cassandra Miller's Bel canto and a new BBC co-commission by Tyshawn Sorey.
Proms Bristol
The Proms continues its partnership with Bristol Beacon and Open Up Music that began in the summer of 2024.
Friday 22 August
Paraorchestra and The Breath (Bristol Beacon, 6pm) – Following their debut at the BBC Proms in Bristol last year, the Paraorchestra collaborate with Oliver Vibrans and folk duo The Breath – guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/ instrumentalist Ríoghnach Connolly. Together, they create a genre-defying performance, conducted by Charles Hazelwood.
Late Junction (Bristol Beacon, 10pm) – Radio 3's Late Junction has been home to the adventurous listener for over 25 years, and this special Proms edition, presented by Verity Sharp, welcomes guest artists who have forged distinctive musical paths, offering a late-night listening swerve off the beaten track.
Saturday 23 August
Danish National Vocal Ensemble (St George's Bristol, 2pm) – The Danish National Vocal Ensemble presents choral works from across the centuries, from British composer and suffragette Ethel Smyth responding to Bach, and Italian-born Paola Prestini reflecting on Palestrina, born 500 years ago.
Mozart, Arvo Pärt and Gavin Higgins (Bristol Beacon, 5.30pm) – The Britten Sinfonia perform in a programme featuring Arvo Pärt's cult concerto for two violins Tabula rasa, performed and directed by Zoë Beyers and Miranda Dale, Sibelius's ravishing Rakastava, Mozart's Symphony No. 39 and Gavin Higgins's Rough Voices, conducted Tess Jackson.
Sunday 24 August
Under the Italian Sun (Bristol Beacon, 7pm) – Conductor Carlo Rizzi and the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera present an Italian programme featuring mezzo-soprano Avery Amereau. The evening features Elgar's In the South, Respighi's Il tramonto, Verdi's Sicilian Vespers overture, Rossini's William Tell overture, and Puccini's tune-filled Capriccio sinfonico.
Proms at venues across the UK
'Round Midnight with Soweto Kinch – Jazz saxophonist, hip-hop artist, curator, and presenter Soweto Kinch hosts a special edition of his nightly Radio 3 show in Sunderland, celebrating the best of jazz with special guests Theo Croker, the Joe Webb Trio and Rivkala (24 July, The Fire Station, Sunderland)
100 Years of the Shipping Forecast – The Proms marks the centenary of Radio 4's Shipping Forecast with music inspired by the oceans and the elements, featuring the Ulster Orchestra and conducted by Chloé Van Soeterstède. It will feature music inspired by the sea, with a new work composed and performed by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage his band LYR, as well as appearances from some familiar Radio 4 voices (8 August, Ulster Hall, Belfast)
Angélique Kidjo: African Symphony – Five-time Grammy Award-winner and celebrated 'Queen of African Music' Angélique Kidjo returns to the Proms following her 2019 debut. As part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Kidjo will pay tribute to her African heritage, performing iconic tracks from legends such as Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Hugh Masekela and Youssou N'Dour, showcasing the richness and beauty of African culture (7 September, St George's Hall, Bradford).