BBC Promenade Concerts 2024

For all the power of Rihab Chaieb’s (anti-)hero, this was a mixed Glyndebourne Carmen at the Proms

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 52 – Bizet, Carmen from Glyndebourne: Soloists, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra / Anja Bihlmaier (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 29.8.2024. (CC)

Bizet’s Carmen from Glyndebourne at the BBC Proms © BBC/Andy Paradise

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A blazing Glagolitic Mass from Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic at the Proms

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 50 – Kaprálová, Dvořák, Janáček: Mao Fujita (piano), Corinne Winters (soprano), Bella Adamova (mezzo-soprano), David Butt Philip (tenor), Pavel Švingr (bass), Christian Schmitt (organ), Prague Philharmonic Choir (choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek), Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Jakub Hrůša (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 28.8.2024. (CK)

Jakub Hrůša conducts pianist Mao Fujita and the Czech Philharmonic © BBC/Andy Paradise

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Distinguished rather than gripping St John Passion from Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 40 – Bach, St. John Passion: Benjamin Bruns (tenor – Evangelist), Alexander Chance (countertenor), Christian Immler (bass – Jesus), Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Shimon Yoshida (tenor), Yusuke Watanabe (bass – Pilate), Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki (conductor), Royal Albert Hall, London, 19.8.2024 (JR)

Masaaki Suzuki conducts Bach’s St John Passion at the BBC Proms © BBC/Mark Allan

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Britten’s harrowing, yet uplifting, War Requiem at the Proms will linger long in the memory

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 37 – Britten’s War Requiem, Op.66: Natalya Romaniw (soprano0, Allan Clayton (tenor), Will Liverman (baritone), Tiffin Boys’ Choir, BBC Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Antonio Pappano (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 17.8.2024. (KMcD)

Sir Antonio Pappano at the BBC Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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Francisco Coll’s new Cello Concerto has its UK premiere at a storytelling BBC SO Prom

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 38 – Dukas, Coll, Puccini, Stravinsky: Sol Gabetta (violoncello), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Tianyi Lu (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 18.8.2024. (AK)

Tianyi Lu conducts the BBC SO at the BBC Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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For this Oramo/BBC SO Prom, it is only the Saariaho and Mozart that bring a smile

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 27 – Saariaho, Mozart, R. Strauss: Silja Aalto (soprano), Anssi Karttunen (cello), Seong-Jin Cho (piano), BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sakari Oramo (conductor), Chris Hopkins (offstage conductor, Alpine Symphony). Royal Albert Hall, London, 9.8.2024. (CC)

Pianist Seong-Jin Cho performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.9 in E-flat major ‘Jeunehomme’ © BBC/Mark Allan

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Glorious Proms Fairy Queen delivered by excellent musicians and singers, and astonishing break dancers

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom PROM 24 – Purcell, The Fairy Queen: Le Jardin des Voix, Compagnie Käfig, Les Arts Florissants / Paul Agnew (conductor). Royal Albert Hall, London, 6.8.2024. (AK)

Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at the Proms © BBC/Chris Christodoulou

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