The BBC has announced its eight-week Proms season, a music festival featuring 86 concerts in various locations including London, Bradford, Belfast, Bristol, and Gateshead. This year marks a record with 15 female conductors set to take the podium, and the Last Night will see an all-female line-up of conductor and soloists for the first time. Conducted by Elim Chan, the evening will also feature world premieres by French composer Camille Pepin and Oscar-winning Rachel Portman.
Making her Proms debut, Claudia Winkleman will present a Traitors Prom, blending symphonic pop and classical music to explore themes of intrigue, treachery, and betrayal. Other highlights include a CBeebies bedtime story prom and a Wildlife Jamboree Prom celebrating the centenary of the Shipping Forecast. The season also commemorates notable anniversaries, such as Shostakovich’s music and anniversaries for Ravel and Boulez. With 25 proms set to be televised, the BBC is aiming to reach even more audiences following last year’s record-breaking numbers. The festival will run from 18 July to 13 September, with general booking opening on 17 May. The Last Night will conclude with traditional pieces such as Rule, Britannia, maintaining a balance between tradition and introducing new music to the broad audience over the 86 concerts.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/24/bbc-announces-2025-proms-lineup-female-fronted-last-night-traitors-shostakovich-ravel
