The BBC Proms 2019 season runs from 19 July to 14 September, with 8 weeks of concerts, talks, workshops and family events and more happening nearly every day.

The BBC Proms is a classical music festival held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Its aim; to bring the best in classical music to the widest possible audience, which remains true to founder-conductor Henry Wood’s original vision in 1895.

Whether you are a classical connoisseur or think ‘classical music is not for me’ there is surely something for everyone in the 8 week stretch of concerts, workshops, talks and family events.

The First Night is always a special occasion, as is the famous Last Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

‘Proms’ is short for Promenade concerts – informal and inexpensive concerts with an opportunity for Promenaders (‘Prommers’) to stand and listen.

 The popular tradition of Promming (standing in the Arena or Gallery areas of the Royal Albert Hall) is central to the unique and informal atmosphere of the BBC Proms.

There are two standing areas: the Arena, the large space in the centre of the auditorium directly in front of the stage, which gives you the opportunity to get up close to the performers, and the Gallery, running round the top of the Hall, which has a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the stage. All spaces are unreserved.

Up to 1,350 standing places are available for each Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall, although the capacity may vary for each Prom. A limited number of Promming tickets will be available to book online between 9.00am and 12.00pm on the day of the concert for main-evening and Late Night Proms.

The Proms was the brainchild of Robert Newman, whose ambition was to enable people to enjoy ‘serious music’. He was well known for organising and financing musical events. Sir Henry Wood, founder-conductor of the Proms, believed in making the best-quality classical music available to the widest possible audience and that ambition remains central to the BBC Proms today.

The Last Night is the concert that closes the festival cycle annually. Many people know the Proms festival precisely by the Last Night, although this concert is very different from everyone else. Normally takes place on the second Saturday of September and is broadcast on BBC2 (first half) and BBC1 (second half).

Don not miss the opportunity to enjoy this season.

Photograph:

BBC – Mark Allan

BBC – Tim Kavanagh.

BBC- Tim Burt

Royalalberthall.com